Training as a farmer

The content on this page was translated automatically.

Cow and 2 people on a pastureImage: Paavo Blåfield

What does a farmer do at the University of Kassel?

Supply of fields and animals

Farmers work - as you would expect - mainly outside in the fresh air. This is to be understood literally, as they have to be ready to go out at any time of year and in any weather to look after the fields or livestock. During your training as a farmer, you will learn to recognize the needs of plants and animals and to care for the fields or animals accordingly. Of course, you will always have to keep an eye on business management in order to develop a farm and keep it running smoothly throughout the seasons.

In arable farming

The first step is to determine the optimum time for soil cultivation in order to create the ideal conditions for sowing. The right sowing time must then be combined with the right choice of variety and crop rotation. In summer, tasks such as mechanical and manual maintenance work are required to ensure the success of the crop. The year ends with the harvest and storage of the crop in the fall. This is followed in winter by the marketing of the harvest and an intensive period of machine maintenance so that the next growing season can begin in full swing in spring.

In animal husbandry

the farm's animals are looked after. At Domäne Frankenhausen, these are dairy cows and their offspring with several breeding bulls as well as laying hens. Feeding as well as the care and husbandry of the animals are the focus of the daily work - and of course products such as milk and eggs.
Of course, this also includes the care of the pastures and forage areas as well as hay and silage production.

When does training as a farmer start at the University of Kassel and where does it take place?

Training as a farmer begins on August 1st of each year. The practical training takes place at the Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen in Grebenstein. It is the teaching and experimental farm for ecological agricultural sciences at the University of Kassel.
Vocational school lessons take place at the Reichspräsident-Friedrich-Ebert-Schule in Fritzlar.

When you start your apprenticeship, you should have at least a secondary school leaving certificate and a class B driver's license. Ideally, you should also already have a T driving license (tractor).

The training to become a farmer has a dual structure. It lasts a total of three years. In agriculture, it is common to change specialization or farm during the course of training. You will therefore only receive a training contract for one year at the University of Kassel so that you can then continue your training on another farm with a different focus.
Trainees work in arable farming, in the animal sector or in the agricultural machinery workshop, where they gain practical experience right from the start, while theory is taught at the vocational school on certain days of the week. Your vocational school is the Reichspräsident-Friedrich-Ebert-Schule in Fritzlar.

The working time is 40 hours per week. There are fixed working hours. These are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with two longer breaks. You also regularly have to work at weekends. In return, you get days off in the following week.

Vocational school is mainly about subject-specific lessons, e.g. cereal cultivation or animal nutrition. There is also the general subject of politics and economics.
There are also extra-occupational weekly courses on various subjects. These include, for example, a course on agricultural engineering at DEULA e.V. or various animal husbandry courses at the experimental farm of the Hessen State Farm.

A monthly training allowance is paid in accordance with Section 8 (1) of the collective agreement for trainees in the state of Hesse (TVA-H BBiG). This currently amounts to

  • EUR 1,126.85 in the 1st year of training

  • EUR 1,181.43 in the 2nd year of training

  • EUR 1,231.51 in the 3rd year of training

You should be enthusiastic about plants and animals, enjoy working with machines and be particularly concerned about the well-being of soil, animals and plants.

Interview with Alexander Herrmann, trainee farmer at the University of Kassel

What do you deal with in your training?

In my apprenticeship, I deal with the correct care of the animals, how to identify problems during milking and harvesting, such as grass silage, hay and straw.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship and this one in particular?
I decided to do an apprenticeship because I was no longer having fun at school and I wanted to do a job that I enjoy. I chose this apprenticeship in particular because I enjoy working with animals and love the variety of the profession.
What else would you like to pass on to others?

Man driving a tractor
Alexander driving a tractor

What else would you like to pass on to others?

The job/training can offer a lot of variety, but you specialize in one area. However, the work can also be hard at times and the days can be longer than 12 hours, especially during harvest time. So you should be sure that you want to do this job, as it can demand a lot from you.

Apply now for an apprenticeship as a farmer at the University of Kassel

Application deadline: 30.09.2025

Apply now for an apprenticeship as a farmer at the University of Kassel: Read More

How do I apply?

Tips and hints

How do I apply?: Application portal of the University of Kassel

Ask yourself beforehand whether you ...

  • you enjoy working in the open air.
  • physical labor is your thing.
  • farmland and manure are just dirt or a valuable natural resource for you.

Or whether ...

  • your need for sleep is huge.
  • it's your nightmare to stand in the barn until three o'clock in the morning when one of the cows calves.
  • you would rather lie in the outdoor pool when the weather is nice than help with the potato harvest.

Go-Link of this page: hhttps://www.uni-kassel.de/go/ausbildung-landwirt