Level 4 Assistant Farm Manager Apprenticeship

About the course

The broad purpose of the occupation is to professionally operate and support the management of an agricultural or horticultural business such as a farm. They will assist in the management at every stage, from the beginning of the product life cycle with the primary resource (seed for crops or breeding for livestock), during the production of the livestock or crops and through to either farm gate sale or direct supply to the consumer. They will consider human, plant and animal health and welfare standards, and environmental priorities. Assistant farm managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of a farm enterprise or enterprises to achieve productivity and environmental business objectives, industry benchmarks and KPIs. They will understand financial performance and control within the enterprise. Record keeping, data collection, data analysis and effective action planning will be key duties.

They will manage people within their influence, which could include a small number of farm staff. They will also contribute to staff and personnel management, including appraisals, continuous professional development and updating of industry knowledge. Assistant farm managers would require relevant knowledge into current and future technologies, innovation and sustainability as this area will become a key focus in the future, such as precision farming and machinery operations. Assistant farm managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management requirements of supply chain contract requirements/protocols, farm assurance, carbon audits and legislation and industry standards for soil and management.

This occupation is found in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, specifically the area of agriculture that includes sheep, dairy, cattle, beef cattle, pigs, goats, poultry, arable field based vegetables or energy crops.  In horticulture it is recommended for those working in extensive horticultural field crops.  Assistant farm managers tend to work in sectors such as dairy, beef and sheep, arable, pigs and poultry or can work at a business which may cut across multiple sectors.  An assistant farm manager may work in any size farm business as employed labour whose intention will be to progress (through succession planning) to farm management either employed or running their own business, in the future. Titles in this job sector vary and it would be appropriate to a range of farm or horticultural site management positions.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with and reports to the farm manager or general manager and collaborates with staff and external customers from deliveries of supplies, auditors, and private consumers (depending on the business).  They will also deal directly with agronomists, vets, nutritionists, consultants, machinery engineers and sales personnel.  They may interact and negotiate with suppliers.