Crop farming

Crop farming is the cultivation of plants for food, animal foodstuffs, or other commercial uses. A variety of techniques including organic production methods can be used to manage crops. People may enter this career through a family business, by training on a farm with experienced farmers, or by attending college to get a degree in agriculture or a related subject. It can involve long hours and harsh working conditions, along with unpredictable profits from year to year, which can be stressful for farmers.

The types of crops grown can depend on environmental conditions, market demands, and preference. Some crops have a limited growth range dependent on temperatures, available water supply, pests, and other factors. Others may be cultivated in a wider range of conditions. Crop farmers test the soil and assess their land to determine what kinds of products they can grow, and narrow down that list to determine what would be commercially viable. If the market demand for cotton is high, for example, it might be a profitable crop to plant.

Plants grown for food, like rice, wheat, and vegetables, are one form of crop farming. It is also possible to cultivate plants such as alfalfa that will be used to feed animals. Some farms have a combination of crops and animals, using the crops they grow to feed their livestock.