Organic Agriculture | Oregon State University

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 19-4012.01

Skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingWritingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningMathematics

Knowledge

Customer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingEnglish LanguageMathematics

Abilities

Deductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionNear VisionInformation OrderingProblem SensitivityFluency of Ideas

Tasks

Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field dat
Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing char
Operate drone technology to capture aerial imagery and data for crop monitoring and analysis.

Technology

Data base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareGeographic information systemMap creation softwareMobile location based services software

Tools

Air clutchesAutomatic boom control systemsAutomatic land leveling systemsAutosteering systemsDesktop computersFertilizer spreading equipmentField personal computers PCGlobal positioning system GPS receiversLaptop computersLightbar guidance systemsMoisture monitorsPersonal computersSeed drillsSoil electrical conductivity measurement devicesSoil samplers

Work Values

Working ConditionsIndependenceAchievementSupportRecognitionRelationships

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium19-4012.01	Precision Agriculture Technicians	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: proficient (Level 3)(based on Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

Complex geospatial datasets including yield, soil quality, weather, and field history — analyze autonomously to determine agricultural implications and develop site-specific crop management plans.
Multi-layer precision agriculture maps covering crop yields, chemical applications, and terrain — create, interpret, and present to farm operators using advanced GIS and map creation software.
Crop yield maps cross-referenced with soil test, fertilizer, and drainage data — compare systematically to produce variable-rate application prescriptions and management zone recommendations.
Full-season calibration and maintenance programs for GPS guidance, sensors, and automated controls — design and execute independently to sustain data accuracy across diverse equipment fleets.
Soil sampling strategies for non-routine field conditions such as irregular terrain or mixed soil series — develop using inductive and deductive reasoning to optimize sampling density and site selection.
Precision agriculture information systems including databases, GIS platforms, and analytical software — integrate across tools to support seamless data flow from field collection through agronomic reporting.
Site-specific nutrient management and production efficiency challenges — solve using critical thinking and systems analysis across the full scope of field, crop, and environmental variables.
Technical findings and agronomic recommendations — communicate clearly and persuasively in written reports and oral presentations tailored to farm managers, agronomists, and agricultural consultants.
Emerging geospatial and sensor technologies — evaluate for practical applicability and integrate into existing field data collection and analysis workflows on active commercial operations.
Quality control reviews of field data collection, map accuracy, and record completeness — conduct systematically to ensure deliverable integrity across all assigned farm accounts.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.