Farmer

In short

What does a farmer do?

A farmer takes daily care of livestock, manages feeding and health, and works both outdoors and in barns.

How much does a farmer earn?

As an indication, a farmer earns between €2,500 and €4,200 gross per month in the Netherlands: starters around €2,500, experienced staff towards €4,200.

What education do you need to become a farmer?

In the Netherlands you usually get there through vocational education (MBO).

Career description

As a farmer at MBO-level, you are responsible for the daily care, feeding, and health of livestock. You work physically on the land and in stables, combining practical skills with knowledge of animal welfare and business operations.

Salary range

Salaried: €2,500 - €4,200 (Netherlands) gross per month (varies by industry, region, and experience).

Compare salaries across careers.

Education and preparation

Education level for Farmer: MBO.

Focus on practical experience, internships, and specializations that fit this field.

RIASEC profile for this career

Top profile: Realistic (90%), followed by Social (70%).

Scores: R 90 • I 50 • A 20 • S 70 • E 20 • C 20

About the Farmer career

A farmer at the vocational MBO level is deeply involved in the hands-on care and management of livestock and agricultural land. This role combines physical work with practical knowledge, focusing on animal welfare, feeding routines, and maintaining a healthy farm environment.

This job suits individuals who enjoy working outdoors and have a passion for animals and agriculture. If you are someone who likes practical tasks, values routine, and wants to contribute to food production and sustainable farming, a career as a farmer could be a great fit.

A working day as a Farmer

Your typical day as a farmer starts early, often with feeding and checking on the health of animals such as cows, pigs, or chickens. You spend time in stables or fields, ensuring that the animals are comfortable and that their living conditions meet welfare standards.

You also maintain the land, which might involve planting, harvesting, or managing pastures depending on the season. This means working with machinery and tools, requiring a good understanding of their operation and safety.

Throughout the day, you collaborate with other farm workers, veterinarians, and suppliers. Communication is key to coordinate deliveries of feed, veterinary visits, and any maintenance work needed on the farm infrastructure.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Feeding and watering livestock according to nutritional plans.
• Monitoring animal health and identifying signs of illness or distress.
• Cleaning and maintaining stables and animal housing facilities.
• Operating machinery and equipment for planting, harvesting, or land maintenance.
• Recording farm data such as livestock numbers, feed usage, and health treatments.
• Managing breeding programs and caring for newborn animals.
• Coordinating with suppliers and service providers for farm needs.

Skills and traits

Physical stamina

Farming involves long hours of physical work, often outdoors and in varying weather conditions, so stamina is essential to keep up with daily tasks.

Animal care knowledge

Understanding animal welfare and health basics helps you provide proper care and quickly respond to any issues that arise.

Practical problem-solving

Farming requires quick thinking to handle unexpected challenges like equipment breakdowns or sudden animal health concerns.

Communication

You need to work well with others on the farm and with external partners, so clear communication keeps operations running smoothly.

Attention to detail

Keeping accurate records and observing subtle changes in animals or crops ensures that problems are caught early and managed effectively.

Time management

Balancing multiple daily tasks and seasonal priorities means you must organize your work efficiently to meet all farm needs.

Which personality fits?

Your RIASEC profile shows a strong Realistic interest at 85%, which means you enjoy practical, hands-on work and working with tangible things like animals and land. This aligns well with the physical and technical nature of farming, where you apply your skills directly to real-world tasks.

The Social score of 50% suggests you also appreciate working with others, whether that be farm colleagues, veterinarians, or suppliers. Your Investigative interest at 40% indicates you like understanding how things work, which is useful for managing animal health and farm systems. The moderate Enterprising and Conventional scores reflect some willingness to manage farm business aspects and keep organized records, while the Artistic interest is less prominent, fitting a job focused more on routine and practical operations than creative expression.

Education and route

Most farmers at the MBO level complete vocational education focused on agriculture or animal husbandry. These programs combine classroom learning with practical training to build skills in livestock care, crop management, and farm machinery use.

Internships or apprenticeships are common during vocational training, providing hands-on experience on working farms. This practical exposure is crucial to understanding daily farm operations and applying theoretical knowledge in real settings.

While there are no specific degree programs listed, general vocational courses in agriculture or animal care prepare you for this role. Further education or certifications may be pursued later to specialize or advance in farm management, but the MBO level is the typical starting point for this career.

Pay and career progression

Your pay as a farmer varies depending on your experience, the size and type of farm, and the region or country where you work. Working on larger commercial farms or in areas with higher living costs may offer better compensation, while smaller or family-run farms might have more modest pay.

Career progression often involves gaining more responsibility, such as managing larger herds, overseeing farm operations, or moving into supervisory roles. Some farmers choose to specialize in particular livestock or crops, or expand into business aspects like sales and marketing, which can influence earnings and job scope.

Where do you work?

Family-owned farms

Many farmers work on family farms, where they contribute to daily operations and long-term sustainability.

Commercial livestock farms

These larger farms focus on producing animals for meat, dairy, or eggs, requiring organized management and teamwork.

Agricultural cooperatives

Farmers may collaborate within cooperatives to share resources, knowledge, and marketing efforts.

Agricultural service companies

Some farmers work for companies providing farm management or animal care services to multiple clients.

Research farms or educational institutions

These settings combine farming with research or teaching, often requiring practical farming skills alongside data collection and analysis.

Pros and cons

Pros

• You work closely with animals and nature, which many find rewarding.
• The job offers physical activity and variety in daily tasks.
• You develop a broad skill set including animal care and machinery operation.
• You contribute directly to food production and sustainability.

Cons

• Work can be physically demanding and outdoors in all weather.
• Early mornings and long hours are common, especially during busy seasons.
• Income can be variable and dependent on farm size and market conditions.
• The job may involve repetitive tasks and routine maintenance work.

The future of this career

Technology is increasingly influencing farming, with innovations like automated feeding systems and health monitoring improving efficiency and animal welfare. These tools require farmers to learn new skills and adapt to changing farm management methods.

Society's growing focus on sustainable and ethical farming practices is shaping how farmers operate. This includes adopting environmentally friendly techniques and ensuring high standards of animal care, which can add complexity but also new opportunities to the role.

Does Farmer suit you?

• Do you enjoy working outdoors and being physically active?
• Are you comfortable caring for animals and monitoring their health?
• Do you like practical, hands-on work over desk-based tasks?
• Can you manage multiple responsibilities and adapt to changing conditions?
• Do you work well both independently and as part of a team?

Frequently asked questions about Farmer

What education do I need to become a farmer at this level?

Typically, you complete vocational education focused on agriculture or animal husbandry at the MBO level, which combines classroom learning with practical experience.

Is this job physically demanding?

Yes, farming involves significant physical work, often outdoors and in various weather conditions, requiring good stamina and health.

Can I progress to higher roles from this position?

Yes, with experience you can take on more responsibility, manage larger operations, or specialize in certain areas of farming, which may also affect your pay.

Do I need a license to work as a farmer?

Generally, a specific license is not universally required, but working safely with machinery and animals may require certain certifications depending on local regulations.

How is the workload throughout the year?

Workload varies seasonally, with busy periods during planting, harvesting, and breeding seasons, and quieter times for maintenance and planning.

Can I switch to farming from another career?

Yes, but gaining practical experience and possibly additional vocational training will help you adapt to the physical and technical demands of farming. Internships or apprenticeships are valuable for career changers.

Next step

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