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Farmer / Agronomist
Grows crops and/or raises livestock — feeds the world using science and traditional knowledge.
Did you know?
The small Netherlands is the world's second-largest exporter of food and farm products by value.
How subjects help
- Biology: Spot signs of illness in cows or blight on potato leaves before it spreads across the farm.
- Chemistry: Mix fertilisers and sprays at the right strength so crops grow well without scorching.
- Business Studies: Decide which crops to plant and when to sell them so the farm earns enough for the year.
- Environmental Science: Rotate crops and plant hedges to keep soil healthy and give wildlife a home.
A famous name
Masanobu Fukuoka: Japanese farmer who developed 'natural farming' without ploughing or chemicals.
Try it yourself: Watch a bean wake up
- Line the jar with damp kitchen paper and push the bean between the paper and the glass.
- Keep the paper damp (not flooded) and the jar somewhere light.
- Check every day and draw what you see. Does the root or the shoot come first?
- Turn the jar on its side once the root appears. What does the root do next?
Farmers and plant scientists watch germination closely: a strong root first means a healthy crop later.
Also try: Pick the best growing conditions.
Known for it in
Netherlands, USA, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand