Feeding the world requires not just a can-do attitude, but also wide-ranging knowledge on everything from soil science to financial management. It is precisely this diversity of tasks, as well as the hands-on nature of the work, that draws many students to the field of agriculture.
Over the years, European universities such as Wageningen in the Netherlands and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences have developed reputations as excellent centers of farming knowledge and research. A degree from one of these is often considered superior to one gained in the United States.
To become successful, agricultural students should possess a solution-orientated mindset, a natural tendency to reduce avoidable risks, and a willingness to learn anything from tractor repair to the latest developments in biotechnology. As a lot of a farmer or farm manager's work is done outdoors, some physical strength and stamina are also helpful.
