Target 5 | Career Callings

Maintain genetic diversity of seeds, plants, farmed, and domestic animals, and wild species through well managed, diversified seed and plant banks and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

Could this be your career mission?

Below are employers you could work for, occupations they employ, and education and training programs to prepare you to achieve this target.

Employers

Community Seed Banks: Preserve and share traditional and locally adapted crop varieties.
Permaculture Groups: Focus on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices, including the preservation of heirloom and diverse crop varieties.
Local Farmers' Cooperatives: Engage in seed-saving initiatives and promote the cultivation of diverse crop varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions.
Urban Farming Collectives: Work to maintain genetic diversity by cultivating a variety of crops in small spaces, often using innovative and sustainable techniques.
Indigenous Peoples' Agricultural Initiatives: Indigenous communities often have traditional knowledge about local crops and may have organizations to preserve and promote diverse agricultural practices.
Community Gardens: Provide spaces for local residents to grow a variety of crops, often encouraging the exchange of seeds and knowledge about heirloom varieties.
Environmental and Conservation NGOs: Local chapters of environmental groups may engage in projects focused on biodiversity conservation, including the preservation of genetic diversity in agriculture.
Educational Institutions with Agricultural Programs: Local schools or colleges with agricultural programs may have initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture and genetic diversity.
Local Sustainability Initiatives: May work on projects related to seed saving, organic farming, and maintaining genetic diversity.
Community-Based Research Projects: Some communities may initiate research projects or collaborate with universities to study and preserve local crop varieties, contributing to genetic diversity efforts.

Training

Agricultural Science and Crop Genetics Programs: Provide a comprehensive understanding of agricultural practices, crop genetics, and breeding techniques.
Sustainable Agriculture and Agroecology Courses: Emphasize environmentally friendly farming practices and often include modules on preserving genetic diversity.
Seed Science and Technology Courses: Cover topics such as seed production, storage, and preservation, essential for maintaining genetic diversity.
Horticulture and Crop Management Programs: Focus on the cultivation and management of crops, including aspects related to genetic diversity.
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Programs: Cover broader topics related to preserving genetic diversity in various ecosystems, including agricultural settings.
Plant Breeding and Genetics Courses: Train students in the techniques used to develop and maintain genetic diversity in crops.
Environmental Science and Sustainable Development Degrees: Often include components related to sustainable development which can be applied to agriculture and genetic diversity.
Community Development and Rural Studies Courses: Equips individuals to work closely with local communities on sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Food Security and Policy Courses: Focus on the broader aspects of food security, including policies that influence genetic diversity in food production.
Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics Programs: Cover the economic aspects of agriculture, including factors related to maintaining genetic diversity.

Occupations

Plant Geneticists: Conduct research on plant genetics, develop new crop varieties, and work on strategies to preserve and enhance genetic diversity.
Seed Bank Manager and Curators: Manage the collection, storage, and distribution of seeds in seed banks, ensuring the preservation of diverse plant genetic resources.
Agricultural Scientists: Conduct research to improve agricultural practices, enhance crop resilience, and promote sustainable farming methods.
Conservation Biologists: Focus on the conservation of biodiversity, including genetic diversity in crops, by studying ecosystems and implementing preservation strategies.
Crop Breeders: Develop new crop varieties with desirable traits, contribute to genetic diversity and resilience in agricultural systems.
Sustainable Agriculture Specialists: Design and implement sustainable farming practices that promote environmental health and genetic diversity in food production.
Biodiversity Officers: Work on projects to conserve and manage biodiversity, including genetic diversity in crops, often within the context of environmental organizations.
Community Outreach Coordinators: Engage with local communities to promote sustainable agriculture practices, seed-saving initiatives, and awareness of the importance of genetic diversity.
Agroecologists: Study and apply ecological principles to agriculture, working to enhance biodiversity and genetic diversity while maintaining sustainable farming systems.
Environmental Policy Analysts (focus on agriculture): Analyze and develop policies related to agricultural practices, biodiversity, and genetic resources, ensuring regulatory frameworks support diversity preservation.

Back to Goal 2 Targets

Maintain genetic diversity of seeds, plants, farmed, and domestic animals, and wild species through well managed, diversified seed and plant banks and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

Could this be your career mission? Below are employers you could work for, occupations they employ, and education and training programs to prepare you to achieve this target.

Employers

Could this be your career mission?

Below are employers you could work for, occupations they employ, and education and training programs to prepare you to achieve this target.