| Handbook Contents... | UMSL Govt. Docs... | UMSL Libraries... | UMSL Home... |

1994 employment: 16,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: A decline
Most significant source of training: Bachelor's degree
Farm workers
Plant, cultivate, harvest, and store crops; tend livestock and poultry; operate and maintain farm machinery; and maintain structures. May haul livestock and produce to market or terminal shipping point.
1994 employment: 906,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: A decline
Most significant source of training: Up to 1 month of on-the-job training
Lawn maintenance workers
Mow and trim lawns using hand or rider mower. Trim shrubs and cultivate gardens. Clean grounds using rakes, brooms, blowers, and hoses. Haul and spread topsoil using a wheel barrow and rake. Plant lawns using hand and power equipment. Dig holes for plants and trees, using pick and shovel. Excludes workers who also perform duties of pruners or sprayers/applicators.
1994 employment: 96,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Faster than average
Most significant source of training: Up to 1 month of on-the-job training
Lawn service managers
Plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in pruning trees and shrubs, cultivating lawns, and applying pesticides and other chemicals according to service contract specifications. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and work force requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing service estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.
1994 employment: 36,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Faster than average
Most significant source of training: Work experience
Nursery and greenhouse managers
Plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in propagating, cultivating, and harvesting horticultural specialties, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, mushrooms, and other plants. Work may involve training new employees in gardening techniques, inspecting facilities for signs of disrepair, and delegating repair duties to staff.
1994 employment: 19,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Much faster than average
Most significant source of training: Work experience
Nursery workers
Plant, cultivate, harvest, and transplant trees, shrubs, or plants in nursery facilities.
1994 employment: 83,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Faster than average
Most significant source of training: Up to 1 month of on-the-job training
Pruners
Prune and treat ornamental and shade trees and shrubs in yards and parks to improve their appearance, health and value. Cut away dead and excess branches from trees using hand saws, pruning hooks, sheers, and clippers. May use truck mounted hydraulic lifts and power pruners. May scrape decayed matter from cavities in trees and fill holes with cement to promote healing and prevent further deterioration. Excludes workers who also perform duties of sprayers/applicators or lawn maintenance workers.
1994 employment: 26,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Faster than average
Most significant source of training: Up to 1 month of on-the-job training
Sprayers and applicators
Spray herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides on trees, shrubs and lawns using hoses and truck mounted tanks. Fill sprayer tank with water and chemicals according to prescribed formula. May use portable spray equipment. Excludes workers who also perform duties of lawn maintenance workers or pruners.
1994 employment: 15,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Faster than average
Most significant source of training: 1 to 12 months of on-the-job training
Supervisors, farming, forestry, and agricultural-related occupations
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, fishing, and related workers. May supervise helpers assigned to these workers.
1994 employment: 85,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: Slower than average
Most significant source of training: Work experience
Veterinary assistants
Examine animals for veterinarian; prepare animals for surgery; perform post-operational medical treatment as needed; and give medications to animals. Usually works directly under veterinarian. Receive extensive training on the job and may also have some postsecondary education, such as trade school or junior college.
1994 employment: 31,000
Projected 1994-2005 employment change: About as fast as average
Most significant source of training: Associate degree
Construction Trades and Extractive Occupations
Other Occupations Not Studied in Detail
Occupational Outlook Handbook Home Page| Handbook Contents... | UMSL Govt. Docs... | UMSL Libraries... | UMSL Home... |