Farming, Fishing, and Forestry

"Three F" careers are in a decline due to advanced technology, cost-cutting imperatives and new federal regulations. Yet, they remain a lifeblood in the economy by providing good, recreation and natural resources. From the soil to market, diverse worker roles are found not just on farms, but also in nurseries, slaughterhouses and ports.

Modern farming devotes a growing number of acres to organic and bioengineered crops. Also, large family farms (not small independent ones) now produce the majority of products by managing business and scientific variables such as crop rotation, soil testing and global commodity prices.

Miles from shore, hauling thousands of pounds of seafood, a commercial vessel richly illustrates the variety of specialized workers driving the fishing and fishing vessel operator industry. From captain to deckhand, most workers are self-employed and seasonally employed.

Finally, many different kinds of forestry workers collaborate to harvest, maintain and protect forests through methods like planting, insecticide and soil erosion.