New York State Department of Civil Service

Division of Classification & Compensation

Tentative Classification Standard

Occ. Code 0901200

Farmer, Grade 9      

Brief Description of Class

Farmers perform a variety of agricultural activities in State University of New York agricultural programs. Incumbents raise crops, provide agricultural training and instruction, care for and raise livestock and other animals, and oversee farming operations.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Farmer: non-competitive; performs agricultural activities such as raising crops and livestock; cares for farm animals; may supervise Farmhands, students, and other staff in the performance of agricultural functions; may oversee a specific farm operation or project.

Related Classes

Farmhands perform routine manual labor and general farm work under supervision of a Farmer, or higher-level agricultural position.

Illustrative Duties

Grows and manages production of a variety of crops in gardens, fields, orchards, and other settings.

• Operates and drives farm equipment to till and fertilize soil.

·         Evaluates factors such as market conditions, diseases, and soil quality to determine what crops to grow.

·         Selects and purchases supplies, such as seed, fertilizers, and farm machinery.

·         Plants, cultivates, and harvests crops.

• Uses mechanical equipment to dust and spray crops and trees to prevent disease.
• Repairs damage to trees and crops to improve production.
• Prunes trees and crops and thins fruit to improve quality and to ensure health.
• Sets out seedlings.

Cares for and manages livestock and other farm animals.

·         Feeds animals by hand, or through use of mechanical conveyors or other means.

·         Milks animals by hand, or through use of milking machines.

·         Ensures that animal areas are properly enclosed and maintained.

·         Reports serious animal health issues to a veterinarian for remediation. 

Keeps written records of crop production, animal health issues, and other agricultural activities.

Cleans barns, stalls, and other agricultural facilities.

Cleans and maintains farm tools, feeding and milking machines, irrigation systems, and other farm equipment. 

May supervise Farmhands, students, and other agricultural staff in the performance of agricultural functions.

May serve as a sales agent for livestock, crops, and dairy products.

Minimum Qualifications

            Farmer

Non-Competitive: three years of farm experience, or one year of farm experience and completion of a high school agricultural course, or one year of agricultural education beyond the high school level.

Note:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

Date: 6/2020

LJC