To find a firm footing in the agricultural industry, you need your farmer cover letter to be outstanding. And with these tips, samples, and templates, you'll be able to achieve just that. So, let us guide you through the cover letter writing process, step by step.
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In this guide, we'll teach you the key steps for writing a cover letter as a farmer. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Create your farmer cover letter header & headline
- Personalize the content & greeting of your farmer cover letter
- Write an eye-catching introduction on your farmer cover letter
- Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a farmer
- Conclude your cover letter with an enthusiastic closing statement
- Access top resources for job-seeking farmers
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Create an effective farmer cover letter header & headline
As you begin the task of writing your farmer cover letter, the first key step is to give your letter a sense of structure and organization. You can achieve this by creating a cover letter header and headline.
Starting with your cover letter header, this element should include all the need-to-know information about you (the applicant) and the company (the employer). This information includes:
- Your name and professional title
- The name of the company & department you are applying to
- Your professional contact information
- The company’s address
Here is an example of a well-formatted farmer header
John Doe, Pig Farmer
(123) 456-7890 | johndoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-doe
To: Hanson Farms, Inc., Livestock Farming Department
1234 Street Address
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Moving on to your cover letter headline, this element is used to hook the employer’s attention – similar to how a new article title is used by journalists. While this element is optional, we highly recommend including it, as it helps to achieve a strong first impression when well-written.
Writing a headline requires the use of a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of an effective farmer headline, followed by a breakdown of its core components
My 3-Step Approach to Sustainable Farming & How I Can Apply it at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Farming
Adjective/Verb: Sustainable, Apply
Promise: Your Company – this detail insinuates to the employers that your cover letter is tailored specifically for their company’s open position.
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2. Personalize the content & greeting of your farmer cover letter
For employers, reading countless cover letters can become monotonous when they all use the same generic language and greetings.
To make your cover letter more compelling, you should personalize the content and greeting of your letter. This is achieved through completing thorough research on the company, looking for specific information such as:
- The name of the exact person at the company who will review your cover letter. This will later be used to create a personalized greeting – a type of greeting that addresses a specific person by name
- The goals and values of the company
- Any projects the company is currently involved in
With this information in your tool belt, you can show the employer you have excellent attention to detail, as well as highlighting the fact that you have taken the time and effort to research the company beforehand.
Hear are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Farm Manager Jane Smith,
- Dear Ms. Jane Smith,
- Dear Jane Smith & the Farm Management Team,
Pro Tip: Whenever you use an honorific (Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc.), double-check that you are using the correct one for the person you are addressing. If you are unsure of their honorific, either research more thoroughly or omit it.
3. Write an eye-catching introduction on your farmer cover letter
After you have completed the due diligence needed to personalize your cover letter, the next key step is to write your introduction. To make this introduction eye-catching and engaging for the employer, include:
- A brief overview of your professional history
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Pro Tip: Including a mutual acquaintance is great for building professional credibility and providing a trustworthy reference for the employer. However, even if you do not have any mutual acquaintances, all is not lost – you can use platforms like LinkedIn to expand your professional network and connect with employees at the companies you are most interested in.
Here is an example of a strong introduction from a farmer's cover letter
Dear Ms. Jane Smith,
I am a produce farmer with more than 5 years of experience caring for crops and managing both open-air fields and greenhouse environments. At a recent Organic Farmers Association meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting your head farm manager, Jack King, who encouraged me to apply for this opening. With your farm’s focus on sustainable agriculture, I believe my skills and experience make me the perfect fit for the position.
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4. Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a farmer
Following your introduction come the body paragraphs of your cover letter. These body paragraphs are where you will provide greater insight into your relevant qualifications for the position.
Most effective farmer cover letter will contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that include detailed – yet still concise – explanations of what skills and accomplishments you possess and how you can apply this expertise and experience in this new job.
Make sure to always use specific and quantifiable details when writing about your skills and accomplishments. Remember – the information you include here is not only building the employer’s impression of you but also informing them of the real-life value you have to offer.
Here are 6 skills that are great to include in a farmer's cover letter
- Crop maintenance & management (fertilizing, irrigation, etc.)
- Livestock care
- Farm equipment operation
- Creating production plans
- Drafting rotation plans
- Leadership
Here is an example of how to effectively describe an accomplishment in a cover letter
As an assistant farm manager for [Former Employer], I worked with the farm owner to develop a new annual rotation plan that resulted in 15% more crop yield. Additionally, I implemented a new equipment maintenance routine that cut spending on equipment repairs by 25%.
5. Conclude your farmer cover letter with an enthusiastic closing statement
It is always important to give your farmer cover letter a strong closing statement that encourages employers to contact you. This closing statement can include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a well-written closing statement from a farmer’s cover letter
I am greatly excited by this position and believe my farming skills and qualifications make me the perfect candidate for the job. As I am eager to hear from you, I hope to get in touch within the next week and will reach back out next Friday if I have not heard back. You may reach me any weekday between the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (123) 456-7890.
Sincerely,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
6. Top resources for job-seeking farmers
Farmer resume? Check! Farmer cover letter? Check! Now all you need to do is plunge yourself straight into the job search. In case you're wondering where to start looking, feel free to get inspired by our resources list:
- Industry-specific job boards: Websites such as AgCareers.com, Farmers Weekly, and Farm and Ranch Jobs serve as excellent starting points for finding farming-related employment opportunities.
- Professional associations: Consider joining a professional association, such as the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), or the Federated Farmers of New Zealand to gain support and counsel from your fellow farmers.
- Social media groups and forums: Don't underestimate the power of social media! Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Reddit have groups dedicated to agriculture where members share job postings and advice.
- Farmer internships and apprenticeships: If you're looking for internship opportunities or apprenticeships, websites like Career Harvest, Land-Based Learning, Rodale Institute, or GetMyFirstJob can help you find one that interests you.
- Farmer job fairs and agricultural expos: You can try your luck the old-fashion way and visit fairs or expos like the World Ag Expo, AgQuip, or the Royal Highland Show. Not only will you have an opportunity for networking, but you'll also learn about the newest industry techniques and innovations.
One final word of advice: no matter how many job postings you end up responding to, always make sure that you custom tailor your cover letter to each and every one of them. Good luck!
Farmer Cover Letter FAQ
What's the best way to start my farmer cover letter?
Start with a strong opening line that captures attention. You can, for example, mention your enthusiasm for the farming position and how you discovered the job opportunity. If you have a referral, name drop them! And, of course, personalizing the greeting by addressing the hiring manager by name can also make a great first impression.
What makes a farmer cover letter stand out from the competition?
You can make your cover letter stand out by showing a genuine passion for agriculture, demonstrating knowledge of the latest farming trends and technologies, and linking your personal values and goals with those of the company or farm. Plus, if you do a thorough research, you can mention how you can contribute to ongoing projects or solve specific problems the farm faces.
How long should my farmer cover letter be?
Keep your cover letter concise and to the point, ideally one page. Focus on your most relevant experiences and achievements without overwhelming the reader with too much information. And remember to incorporate enough white space.
How important are keywords in a farmer cover letter?
Very important. Using keywords in your cover letter helps if the employer uses Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen applications. Include terms related to farming techniques, equipment you're proficient in, and soft skills like teamwork and leadership. Reread the job posting you're applying to to find out exactly which keywords to use.
Should I mention my education in my farmer cover letter?
Yes, but only if your education is relevant to the position or has equipped you with particular skills applicable to farming. This could include degrees in agriculture, certifications, or specialized training in areas such as organic farming, soil science, or agricultural technology. But be brief!
