Farming/agriculture related jobs in Houston? (Sugar Land, El Campo: landscaping, schools, living in)

[shintai]

Hello CD users,

Is it appropriate to look for entry-level farming/agricultural jobs in Houston?

I've won GreenCard lottery (planning to move in February) and according to my research on the internet, I've found out that Houston may be a good place to start a new life but even though I've a bachelor of science degree at agricultural engineering, I feel insecure about earning enough money to hold on this new life in US.

Most of the people who have a connection in Houston telling me to start with retailing and delivery jobs until getting hold of things.

What are your thoughts and advice on this topic?

[PedroMartinez]

Start a business doing commercial landscaping. If you know what you're doing, you can minimize fertilizers and pesticides which puts you ahead of much of the competition.

[Thoreau424]

I wouldn't think of Houston as a likely place to start farming and agriculture. Houston's basically a huge metropolis with little to no farming. Rural Texas is a possibly, or anywhere from up to Kansas, then across to the east coast and downward. In other words, much of the central and south of America.

[PeteyC]

Houston isn't really a farming city. You may want to send your resume to Cornelieus Nursery or Buchanana's Plants or maybe The Arbor Gate. Another idea would be to look up to see if there are openings for Agricultural Agents in Harris and or contiguous counties. If you are looking to farm for a living, consider a more rural area than Houston. Good luck.

[shintai]

Thank you all for precious replies. Much appreciated.

[Ghost Town]

A lot of agriculture starts in about 50 miles from Houston. You could look at Wharton, El Campo, Ganado, Sealy, Monroe City, all in TX. I don't know where to apply though

[bu2]

Uncle Ben's Rice has HQ in Houston. Minute Maid has a limited number of jobs in Sugar Land.

Also there is Sysco which is food service which may have some related jobs.

[shintai]

Thank you Ghost Town and bu2 for your answer too!

[shintai]

Update time! I've been in Houston for 4 months and couldn't find any agriculture related job, but I am working for a company which is in a very different business sector.
I'm still open for any advices.

Cheers!

[mingna]

Why did you decided on Houston? Was it COL? Depending on your needs and criteria, it's not as cheap as many believe.

Do you want to stay in ag. engineering? Echoing others, Houston and the surrounding areas may not offer the best opportunities. The main industries here are O&G, Energy, and Medical related.

Perhaps try the Central or Salinas Valley areas of CA? They have a large agricultural industry, and supporting partnerships with the nearby Ag. schools. This might present better opportunities to get your foot in the door. The cost of living in those areas is not as exorbitantly expensive as many other parts of CA, and you will not have to deal with the cold winters of other agricultural areas up north.