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Farmer

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

A farmer is a person who works in agriculture. They raise living things to provide food or raw materials.

Farmer, Nicaragua (rotated)
Farmer, Nicaragua (rotated)

This work can include growing field crops or tending to orchards and vineyards. Some farmers also raise livestock like poultry or fish. In many wealthy countries, a farmer is usually the owner of the land. Other people work on the land as farmhands or laborers. This job is vital because it helps feed the world.

Annual Changes In Prices Received By Farmers, Top And Bottom Countries (2022)
Annual Changes In Prices Received By Farmers, Top And Bottom Countries (2022)

There are many different ways to farm. Some people practice subsistence agriculture to meet the needs of their own community. They might use methods like crop rotation or seed saving to be efficient.

Other people focus on specific animals. A rancher in the U.S. raises animals like cattle or horses. A poultry farmer focuses on birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese. Someone who grows many vegetables for a market is called a truck farmer. There are also dairy farmers who focus on milk production. Each type of farmer uses special skills to care for their specific products.

Farming has a very long history. It began during the Neolithic era and became a major part of life. By the Bronze Age, the Sumerians had a special workforce for farming. They used irrigation to move water to their crops.

Ancient Egyptian farmers also relied on water from the Nile River. People have also raised animals for thousands of years. Dogs were domesticated in East Asia about 15,000 years ago. Goats and sheep were raised in Asia around 8000 BCE. Pigs were raised by 7000 BCE in China and the Middle East.

Today, farming is a massive global effort. More than half a billion people are smallholders. These farmers work on small pieces of land to support almost two billion people. Women make up more than 40% of all agricultural employees.

Farming is a public service shirt
Farming is a public service shirt

Farming can also be a way to learn through youth groups. In the U.S., 4-H has about 6.5 million members. The National FFA Organization helps middle and high school students learn about agriculture. In Europe, Rural Youth Europe works with 500,000 participants to teach about the environment.

Working on a farm can be a difficult job. It is considered a dangerous industry because of certain risks. Farmers work around heavy machinery that can cause injuries. They also deal with insects like bees, wasps, scorpions, and fire ants.

The weather can also cause stress because it affects how much food grows. Changes in the market can also make things uncertain. Despite these hard parts, farmers remain essential to how we live.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:FFA greenhouse training 120813-A-PO167-151.jpg
FFA greenhouse training 120813-A-PO167-151.jpg
File:Farmer, Nicaragua (rotated).jpg
Farmer, Nicaragua (rotated).jpg
File:American bee journal (1914) (17930911149).jpg
American bee journal (1914) (17930911149).jpg
File:Farming is a public service shirt.jpg
Farming is a public service shirt.jpg
File:Annual Changes In Prices Received By Farmers, Top And Bottom Countries (2022).svg
Annual Changes In Prices Received By...
File:Illinois Agricultural Association record (microform) (January 1944- December 1949) (16054532294).jpg
Illinois Agricultural Association record...
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