What does an agricultural and food science technician do?

What is an Agricultural and Food Science Technician?

An agricultural and food science technician works in all areas of food production. They help with animal breeding and find ways to prevent and cure illnesses in livestock.

They also help to develop packaging, quality control, and the technology used to produce and transport the food eaten by millions of people!

What does an Agricultural and Food Science Technician do?

There are many different areas of food production that an agricultural and food science technician can work in.

Many work with animals bred for consumption. This type of technician finds ways to improve the health and longevity of cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and many other types of animals. They work on creating vaccines and cures for diseases, as well as improving the slaughter methods and the transportation and preservation of the animal product.

Other agricultural and food science technicians work primarily with crops. The goal is to improve not only the yield but also the quality of the plant.

They study the plants themselves as well as the weather, soil conditions, and pests that may hinder or help the production of crops. These types of technicians also study the genomes of plants to attempt to create agricultural systems that can survive in extreme or otherwise untameable locations.

Improved technology and quality control are also vital aspects of this career. Agricultural and food science technicians study and work to find new ways to use preservatives and additives to keep food fresh longer.

They are responsible for ensuring that the products they work on meet the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations and standards. This includes conducting tests and compiling reports on their area of study and maintaining a safe workplace with clean equipment.

What is the workplace of an Agricultural and Food Science Technician like?

Many agricultural and food science technicians work in a laboratory. The hours vary from a standard eight-hour workday to a more irregular schedule depending on the type of experimentation or study.

However, many technicians in this field, including those that work in environmental sciences and protection, work out of doors and often in remote conditions. They study the effects and growth rates of vegetation all over the world and in any season.

Agricultural and food science technicians in the lab work with sensitive and sophisticated machinery. They also work with computers as well as other delicate lab equipment.

Technicians begin as trainees working under more experienced scientists until they have enough experience and education to conduct and lead their own work, which often includes supervising others.