Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Agricultural Sciences Professor
What agricultural sciences professors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an agricultural sciences professor?
Check research plots. From there, the day usually includes teach agriculture courses, run field and lab research, and work with extension programs. Field research follows growing seasons, with busy springs and falls.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an agricultural sciences professor working full time.
- Check research plots.
- Teach soil science.
- Meet graduate students.
- Speak at an extension field day.
- Analyze yield data.
- Advise an FFA alumni club.
- Write a grant report.
Where agricultural sciences professors work
Faculty work in classrooms, labs, research farms and in the field.
Hours and schedule
Field research follows growing seasons, with busy springs and falls.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Teach agriculture courses
- Run field and lab research
- Work with extension programs
- Advise students and clubs
- Write grants
- Publish research
- Share findings with farmers
Tools you’ll use every day
- Research plots
- Lab instruments
- GIS and precision ag tools
- Statistical software
- Learning management systems
- Livestock facilities
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Real-world impact on farming
- Mix of field and classroom
- Extension outreach
- Steady land-grant positions
What’s hard
- Seasonal research demands
- Grant dependence
- Rural locations
- Long training
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love agriculture
- I like field research
- I enjoy teaching
- I want to help farmers
- I don’t mind rural life
- I’m willing to earn a doctorate
Not sure? Take the free Agricultural Sciences Professor fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow farm equipment safety
- Use PPE with chemicals
- Follow animal care rules
- Protect student privacy