Iowa Public Television

 
Home  -  Educators  -  Challenges
   
   
Educators

  Educator Resources:

Main
Web sites for educators
Elementary videos
Challenge Activities
   -by Subject
   -by Soft Skill
Odyssey Teacher's Guide
Teacher Created Units
School Improvements
Professional Development
Videoconferencing

Challenge Question Number 1 for Field Sales Agronomist #1129

 Related Subject(s):
Agricultural Studies
 Related Soft Skill(s):
Using Technology
Learning New Ideas
Locating Information
Analyzing Information
Describe a typical "challenge" encountered in your work:
Each farmer has his/her unique goals and expectations for crops. My job is to train our sales staff to recognize these needs and position our products so the customers can reach their goals.



Clearly describe what you expect from the students:
Use company web sites, agricultural magazines and university publications to research the following questions:
1) What impact does relative maturity have on a farmer's hybrid or variety choice?
2) What options are available for disease resistance and what are their advantages to the farmer?
3) What are some of the GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) available to farmers today and what are their advantages? Look specifically at herbicide tolerance and insect protection.
4) What are the advantages to enhanced grain quality traits like high oil corn and clear hilum soybeans?
Useful websites:www.nk.com (Novartis Seeds, Inc.) www.dekalb.com (Dekalb Genetics) www.pioneer.com/usa (Pioneer Hybrid International)



In order to give the teacher some guidance in evaluating the student's project(s); list some tips that may help to assess the student's work:
Students should gain an understanding of the complexity of agriculture. I hope once they realize the number of products and the different technologies supplied to farmers, they will be able to discover many careers in this field. Novartis Seeds Inc. employees agronomists like myself but also plant breeders, molecular biologists, accountants, computer programmers, lawyers, and public relations staff.




 
Contact Us: lashell@iptv.org
Copyright 2009, Iowa Public Television
The School to Careers project is supported by funds from a USDE Star Schools grant.
Enhanced Careers made possible through a generous grant provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

The views presented on this site do not necessarily reflect those of Iowa Public Television; nor does IPTV endorse the businesses represented. Our mission is to make students aware of a variety of careers with as much objective information as possible.