Vegetable Scientist or Olericulturist - Career Advice - Environments

Vegetable Grower
Vegetable Farm Worker
Vegetable Picker

Nature or Recreation

Olericulture is the production of plants for use of the edible parts. The term olericulture comes from Latin oleri= vegetables and coleri= cultivar, is used to designate the cultivation of certain plants of herbaceous consistencies, usually short cycle and intensive cultural tracts whose parts foods are directly used in human food without requiring prior industrialization. FutureGrowthModerate

Vegetable crops are grown for their succulent and edible parts such as the roots, stems, leaves, young tops, flowers, fruits, or seeds for use in culinary preparations either fresh or preserved in the fresh state.

Olericulture, the science of vegetable growing, concentrates on edibles that are annuals mostly, although some perennials are deemed vegetables too, such as rhubarb. It deals with the culture of non-woody (herbaceous) plants for food.

The scientist who studies olericulture is called an Olericulturist.

Vegetable crops can be classified into 9 major categories:

Potherbs and greens - spinach and collards Baby Spinach (Source: Britannica)	Salad crops - lettuce, celery Celery (Source: Health Line)
Cole crops - cabbage and cauliflower Cauliflower (Source: Taste)	Root crops (tubers) - potatoes, beets, carrots, radishes Radishes (Source: Gardening Know How)
Bulb crops - onions, leeks Leeks (Source: Canberra Times)	Legumes - beans, peas Peas in pod (Source: The Guardian)
Cucurbits - melons, squash, cucumber Cucumber (Source: BHG)	Solanaceous crops - tomatoes, peppers [capsicums] Capsicums on vine (Source: MT Seed Bank)
Sweet corn Sweet corn (Source: Love the Garden)

ANZSCO ID: 234515

Alternative names: Vegetable Scientist,

Specialisations: An olericulturist specializes in a branch of horticulture that deals with the production, storage, processing, and marketing of of all edible parts of vegetables including the roots, leaves, flowers, stems, seeds, and young tops. An olericulturist may specialise further by only investigating and research one of the 9 categories shown above.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Excellent research and laboratory skills

Strong analytical skills

An interest in vegetable cultivation

Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Good outdoor/field skills

A good level of attention to detail

Good report-writing skills for creating research reports

Excellent speaking skills

Inquisitiveness and persistence

An up-to-date knowledge of the industry’s trends

Olericulturists with tomatoes
(Source: Seed Your Future)

Duties and Tasks

Olericulture deals with the production, storage, processing and marketing of vegetables. It encompasses crop establishment, including cultivar selection, seedbed preparation and establishment of vegetable crops by seed and transplants. It also includes maintenance and care of vegetable crops as well commercial and non-traditional vegetable crop production including organic gardening and organic farming; sustainable agriculture and horticulture; hydroponics; and biotechnology.

Survey the current research and extension programs for vegetable crops, including indigenous vegetables to develop a process for collaboration, networking and sharing of information among other institutions
Establish a program for collecting, storing and characterizing regional vegetable germplasm and for testing new cultivars of the major vegetable crops in various sites in collaboration with appropriate national research and extension centres and seed companies/nurseries; and identify the cultivars most suitable for the major agro-ecological zones and consumer preferences
Conduct research using improved germplasm and crop management practices addressing regionally important abiotic and biotic constraints including heat, drought, salinity, high cost of water, low soil fertility and pests and diseases
Organize training programs on sustainable production systems for the selected vegetable crops for participants from the regions in Australia
Develop and maintain databases and disseminate information in local languages on sustainable production systems (both conventional and certified GAP/organic) for vegetable crops in Australia.

Working conditions

Olericulturists with advanced degrees are often found in universities and in the horticulture industry in research, teaching, and extension positions, developing, breeding, and evaluating new varieties of vegetables

Tools and technologies

Olericulturists use traditional laboratory equipment along with those relating to germination. They have to maintain strict biohazardous protocol when dealing with vegetable diseases.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Usually an olericulturist possesses a Ph.D. in a relevant field of horticulture, preferably vegetable cropping systems, with an excellent record in research, development, publications and obtaining funding for research and development activities. Those with advanced degrees often teach courses in horticulture in addition to their research projects.

Clerical or Organising Nature or Recreation

Vegetable Growers manage farming, greenhouse and market garden operations to grow vegetables. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO ID: 121221

Alternative names: Vegetable Farm Manager, Market Gardener

Specialisations: Market Gardener (Vegetables)

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Ability to delegate responsibilities
Ability to hire, train and oversee many field workers
Ability to maintain composure in tense and problematic situations
Capable of operating farming machinery
Knowledge of crop rotation
Knowledge of growing and soil conditions for the area
Physically able to withstand extremely hot, windy and stormy conditions
Understanding of the market for crops
Understanding of water and irrigation needs

Harvesting Brussels Sprouts

Duties and tasks

Co-ordinates production and marketing of crops, from soil preparation through to harvest, taking into account environmental and market factors.
Plants seeds and seedlings as well as grafts new varieties to root stocks.
Maintains crop production by cultivating, de-budding and pruning, as well as maintaining optimal growing conditions.
May grow vegetables in greenhouse to produce out-of-season crops.
May specialize in growing single vegetable and be designated by name of vegetable as Onion Farmer.
Conducts market garden operations, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and dispatch of produce.
Directs and oversees general activities such as fertilising and the control of pests and weeds.
Maintains buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems.
Maintains and evaluates records of activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand.
Manages business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management.
May select, train and supervise staff and contractors.

Working conditions

Vegetable Growers spend most of their time out in the fields and must deal with all kinds of weather conditions. This is a very stressful job as severe weather and drought can damage and destroy the crops. Even under perfect conditions, there can be considerable crop losses, however the financial benefits and rewards of growing exceptional crops can make up for any losses sustained in the past.

Working conditions for vegetable farmers depend on the size and location of the farm. Those who run large farms usually spend most of their time indoors in offices. When they are in the field, they supervise farm workers. They may spend long hours dealing with agents from agricultural firms. Those who own smaller farms may do much of the farm work by themselves. They spend more time outdoors, and often they do the plowing, planting, and harvesting. Farm labor is physically strenuous.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You usually need crop production experience to work as a Vegetable Grower. While formal qualifications aren't essential, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in horticulture or agriculture may be useful.

Did You Know?

As mining became less profitable in the various colonies from the 1870s onwards, market gardening became the next most common Chinese occupation. At this time European Australians avoided market gardening which provided a niche for the many Chinese in Australia with agricultural backgrounds. By the 1900s approximately one third of all Chinese in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia were engaged in market gardening. Even before this Chinese on the gold fields grew their own vegetables and those in market gardening at this time possibly made more money than those mining gold.

Market gardens tended to be located in the city suburbs. Chinese communities, like the one in Alexandra, Sydney, often grew up around them. In Melbourne there were market gardens along Merri Creek and in suburbs such as Brighton and Caulfield. In Western Australia they tended to be around Perth and in Fremantle along the Swan River. In the Northern Territory the Chinese grew the bulk of fresh produce for Darwin on the outskirts of town and in the Pine Creek area. In north Queensland Chinese market gardening was really more on the scale of farming with Chinese specialising in bananas and sugar and even experimenting with rice, corn and lychees.

Chinese market gardens tended to operate on a cooperative basis with as many as ten workers, often from the same clan. There were close ties between market garden cooperatives and urban Chinese storekeepers and greengrocers who helped provide gardeners with credit or financial support. Using hand made tools market gardeners worked long hours in this very labour intensive industry. Crop rotation and double cropping methods were used to grow a range of produce including tomatoes, cauliflower, herbs, leafy vegetables like lettuces. Produce was sold either direct to the market or else through a commission agent who sold the produce on the gardeners' behalf. Although Chinese market gardeners and hawkers are seen as synonymous, due to the high labour intensity of both activities it is unlikely that an individual could perform both concurrently.

As in other industries where the Chinese were successful, Chinese market gardeners also faced opposition from their European counterparts. In 1900 a Market Gardeners' Association was formed partly in opposition to Chinese competition. During the depression others resented the fact that the Chinese were able to make money out of 'incidental' crops which non-Chinese found uneconomical. Chinese market gardeners were accused of using urine and faeces to fertilise their gardens and of living in insanitary conditions.

As the Chinese population in Australia declined so too did Chinese market gardeners. The Greek and Italian community started to move into the industry, particularly after World War II. However it was not until at least the 1950s, possibly later, when the last of the original Chinese market gardens finally disappeared.
(Source: Chinese-Australian Historical Images in Australia [CHIA])

Chinese Market Garden, Sydney 2007
(Source: Leader)

Vegetable Pickers harvest vegetables and prepare produce for distribution. Vegetable pickers harvest a range of vegetables depending on the season. Vegetable pickers work at farms and market gardens all around Australia. They assess produce as it is picked, checking for ripeness and discarding any pieces that are over-ripened, or that show signs of rotting or disease. Depending on the particular crop and size of the operation, they may pick produce by hand or operate specialised harvesting machines. These workers may also carefully pack produce into boxes and containers, ready for shipping. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO ID: 841215

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Experienced in inspection, selection and harvesting of healthy and ripened vegetables
Profound knowledge of vegetable varieties and determination of their maturity level
Familiarity with operation logistics, procedures, and policies
Ability to pick and place all vegetables, carefully and efficiently
Enjoy practical work
Free from skin conditions and allergies to agricultural chemicals
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Able to work quickly and consistently for long periods of time
Willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Able to travel from property to property to pick vegetables
Able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work
Reliable and motivated.

Duties and Tasks

Selects and picks vegetables according to size and ripeness, and discards rotting and over-ripened produce.
Grades, sorts, bunches and packs produce into containers.
Loads filled vegetable containers onto trucks.

Working conditions

Vegetable pickers generally work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Work conditions can range from hot and sunny, to cold, wet and windy, depending on the location and time of year. These workers are often paid according to the amount of produce they pick, so they must work quickly and for long hours, often from sunrise to sunset. The work can be physically demanding, as pickers will frequently climb up and down ladders and usually carry loads of produce as they pick.

Vegetable harvesting is seasonal work and pickers may need to travel great distances to find work, depending on the time of year. Some employers may provide food and accommodation, though this is generally very basic and pickers will more commonly arrange their own living arrangements.

Tools and technologies

Depending on the particular crop, vegetable pickers may collect produce by hand, using secateurs, or with specialised harvesting machines. Once picked, produce may be collected in tubs, buckets, bags, bins or on trays. In some cases, these workers will also be involved in cleaning and packing produce ready for shipping, which may also be done either by hand or with specialised machinery. Vegetable pickers may also be required to work from ladders or on elevated work platforms.

Education and training/entrance requirements

It is possible to work as a vegetable picker without any formal qualifications and get training on the job.

Employment Opportunities

You may improve your employment prospects if you hold a valid driver’s licence and/or a licence to operate a forklift.

Vegetable Farm Workers perform routine tasks on vegetable farms or market gardens, such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting and irrigating crops. They may spray chemicals on crops to treat diseases and pests. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO ID: 841214

Alternative names: Farm Hand, Farmworker, Farm Labourer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Knowledgeable of all farm equipment and machineries
Experience in farming
Knowledge and experience in farming techniques
Hardworking and ability to multitask
Enjoy practical work
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Able to undertake manual and heavy work
Enjoy working outdoors
Able to work for long hours and in all kinds of weather conditions
Able to work both in a team and with limited social contact
Mechanical aptitude

Farm Worker
(Source: Good Universities Guide)

Duties and Tasks

Plants crops using hand tools and farm machines.
Builds trellises for climbing vegetables and vines.
Operates farm machines to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest.
Sprays with chemicals to control weed growth, insects, fungus growth and diseases.
Thins, weeds and hoes.
Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
Set up and operate irrigation equipment - Irrigates land for crop growth.
Selects and picks vegetables according to size and ripeness, and discards rotting and over-ripened produce.
Grades, sorts, bunches and packs produce into containers.
Loads filled vegetable containers onto trucks.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Vegetable Farm Worker without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II in agriculture or production horticulture might be helpful.

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