Hometown:Shannon
Age:25
High School:Mooreville High School
Training:Itawamba Community College
Degree:Associate of Applied Sciences
Employer:Mississippi State University in Starkville
Title:Engineering Technician

Agriculture Equipment Operator

ZACK IVY

After growing up on a farm, Zack Ivy decided to pursue a career in agriculture. He completed his associate degree from Itawamba Community College while working full-time for Mississippi State University's Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station in Verona. There, his research centered around some of Mississippi's most important crops like corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, rice, wheat and oats.

Recently, Zack was promoted from a research technician to an engineering technician based on his mastery of GPS software and skill in row crop production.

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WHAT DOES AN AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR DO?

Zack is on page 50!

Agriculture equipment operators drive and control farm equipment to till soil and to plant, cultivate and harvest crops. They also perform tasks, such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks, such as husking, shelling, threshing and ginning.

Responsibilities:

  • Load and unload crops or containers of materials.
  • Operate farm equipment and maintain agricultural production areas to conform to scientific testing parameters.
  • Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus, and weed growth.
  • Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.