What are specialty crops and where does hemp fit?
Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, flowers and other plants grown for particular markets rather than for large commodity sales. Hemp is one of several crops in this broader group, along with lavender, hops, ginger, saffron and many others.
Because specialty crops serve small and changing markets, farms often experiment. Some succeed and some do not, so the jobs can be less stable than work on established crops. Ask any employer how long the operation has been running.
Some farms are experimenting with value-added products such as dried herbs, teas, fiber, seed or oils. Ask how an operation makes money before you apply, because a farm with several products is often steadier than one that depends on a single crop.
What jobs exist on these farms?
Specialty farms often need versatile workers. A single person may plant, tend, harvest and help with processing or sales.
Roles may include:
Compliance work has its own value. Sampling, labeling, tracking and reporting require careful hands, and workers who keep clean, accurate paperwork can move into roles that pay more attention than muscle.
- Field and greenhouse crew
- Harvest and drying crew
- Processing and packaging worker
- Quality testing and records assistant
- Compliance and paperwork assistant
- Farm manager
- Sales and farmers market staff
What do hemp rules mean for workers?
Hemp is regulated by federal and state agencies, and the rules differ by state. Growers may need licenses, testing and reporting, and some farms have strict controls on who can work on site or handle product.
Age rules, background checks and handling limits vary by employer and state. Do not assume. Ask the farm and check with your state department of agriculture. Never take a job that asks you to do something that feels illegal or unsafe, and talk to a parent, counselor or teacher first.
Parents and teens should read state agriculture department pages directly, since licensing, testing and handling rules are updated often. Ask a farm to show you its license and written safety plan before you agree to work there.
What skills help on a specialty farm?
Specialty crops often need careful handling and detailed records. Workers who can follow a protocol exactly, count accurately and keep tidy logs are valuable.
Learning basic plant biology, irrigation and pest management helps in almost any specialty crop. Curiosity and adaptability matter, since each crop has its own timing and quirks.
Drying, curing and storage are skills too. Moisture, temperature and airflow decide whether a harvest keeps its quality, so many farms value workers who learn those steps well.
- Following written protocols exactly, every time
- Keeping accurate counts, dates and test records
- Handling plants gently during harvest and drying
- Asking questions before trying an unfamiliar task
What are the hard parts?
Markets can swing quickly, and a crop that was popular one year may be hard to sell the next. Small operations may have limited budgets and uneven hours. Some jobs depend on a single buyer or a single product.
Safety is also important. Workers handle tools, dryers, chemicals and sometimes heavy equipment. Ask who trains new workers and what protective gear is provided. NIOSH and OSHA publish agricultural safety materials.
Insurance, banking and buyer rules can change for specialty crops. Employers who explain these limits openly are easier to trust than those who avoid questions.
How do you check pay and outlook?
Pay differs widely by crop, region and employer, and many specialty farms are small. For current pay and outlook, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and compare with what local farms tell you.
Ask whether pay is hourly, whether work is seasonal and how the farm handles slow periods. Be cautious about any offer that promises large earnings quickly or asks you to pay for training or supplies.
- Is the pay hourly, and when is it paid
- Are there extra costs for tools or training
- Is a written agreement available
How can a teen prepare?
Take plant science, biology and business classes. Join FFA or 4-H and grow a small plot of herbs, flowers or vegetables. Visit a farmers market and ask growers about their crops.
Learn how a small farm is organized. SARE and extension offices publish helpful guides on specialty crops, marketing and farm planning. Keep notes on what you learn and ask your ag teacher about local farms that welcome student workers.
A final tip is to treat a specialty farm job as a learning job. You can pick up crop knowledge, marketing and small business skills that transfer to almost any other agricultural career.
Your next steps
- Specialty crops serve small, changing markets, so jobs can vary in stability.
- Hemp is regulated, and rules differ by state, so confirm locally.
- Safety training and protective gear matter on any farm.
- Check pay in the BLS handbook and avoid offers that sound too good.
- Plant science classes and small plots are good ways to start.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Ag Jobs & Careers Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.