What a typical day can look like
A general picture, not one person. Real days vary by employer, season and place.
What do ag software developers build?
Developers in agriculture build apps for tracking fields and inventory, programs that connect to sensors and machines, tools for marketing and supply chains and software that runs on equipment. Some work on websites and mobile apps, others on embedded software inside machines, and others on data systems behind the scenes.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook describes software developers in general. Many of the same skills apply in agriculture, and the handbook is a good place to check current pay and outlook.
Where do these developers work?
Equipment makers, agtech startups, seed and input companies, food companies, farm cooperatives, universities and software firms hire developers for agriculture work. Some jobs are remote, while others are near a plant or research station. Employers differ in size, so the daily experience can be very different at a small startup versus a large manufacturer.
A farm background is not required, but understanding how farms work gives you a real advantage in knowing what users need.
Remote and hybrid work is common in software, but equipment-related roles may need time at test sites or plants. Ask about the travel and location expectations for any role you consider.
- Writing and testing code
- Fixing problems reported by users
- Working with designers, agronomists and engineers
- Planning updates around planting and harvest seasons
What does a typical week involve?
Most developers spend time writing code, reviewing teammates' code, fixing bugs and talking with people who use the product. In agriculture, seasons matter. A bug during planting can cost someone time they cannot get back, so teams often plan releases and testing around the calendar.
Good developers also spend time understanding the problem. A short conversation with a farmer or technician can save weeks of building the wrong feature.
What skills should I build first?
Start with one programming language and learn the basics well: variables, logic, loops, functions and how to break a problem into pieces. Then learn how to read other people's code, use version control and test your work. Math helps, especially logic and algebra.
Soft skills matter as much as technical ones. Clear writing, patience and the willingness to ask questions help you work with people who are not programmers.
Writing matters more than people expect. Developers write documentation, explain bugs in tickets and describe design decisions to teammates. If you can explain a technical idea in plain language, you will stand out.
Which education paths lead to this work?
Many developers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, though paths vary. Some come through bootcamps, community college programs or self-study with a strong portfolio. Employers differ in what they require, so read postings and ask hiring managers what they value.
Be careful with programs that promise guaranteed jobs. Check graduates' real outcomes, compare costs and ask a counselor or a working developer for an opinion. College Navigator helps you compare degree programs.
How can I start while still in high school?
Take any computer science class your school offers, and use free online courses if it does not. Pick a project that connects to agriculture: a program that tracks feed or water use, a simple record book for your FFA project, or a calculator for seed spacing.
Show your work. Keep your code organized, write a short description of what it does and ask a teacher or mentor for feedback. A small finished project teaches more than a dozen unfinished ones.
Open-source projects and hackathons are other ways to practice with other people. Ask a teacher or mentor about local clubs, and be careful never to share personal information online beyond what a trusted adult approves.
- Take a computer science class or free online course
- Build a small tool for a real farm task
- Keep a portfolio of finished projects
- Ask a local farm or ag business what software frustrates them
What mistakes are common, and what should I ask?
A common mistake is jumping between languages without finishing anything. Another is ignoring the people who will use the software. A farmer in a tractor cab needs large buttons and clear screens, not a clever design.
Ask developers how they learn about user needs, how seasonal deadlines shape their work and what they would do differently at the start of their careers. Use O*NET and the BLS handbook to check current job details.
Your next steps
- Ag software developers build apps, data systems and machine software for farms and food companies.
- Learn one language well, then build small projects that solve real farm problems.
- Understanding users matters as much as writing code.
- Degree paths vary, so compare real job postings and program outcomes.
- Check BLS and O*NET for current pay and outlook.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Ag Jobs & Careers Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.