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To provide farm employers with a clearer understanding of what is required to attract qualified people for responsible positions and agricultural students with an overview of substantial job opportunities in farm employment, this study summarized agricultural employment trends, reviewed research findings in occupational development, surveyed Washington agricultural students to gain insights on how they perceive farming and full-time farm employment as an occupation alternative, and analyzed student salary expectations. Results from 1972-73 surveys of 109 high school vocational/agricultural students, 93 community college farm management students, and 118 Washington State University farm management students revealed preferences for self-employed farming; desired size of farm on which to work; attitudes toward farm employment related to school level, occupational choice, and residential background; and salary expectations. While 40% of students surveyed ranked self-employed farming as their first occupation choice, only 5% ranked working as a farm employee a first choice. They rated farm employment as markedly inferior to other occupations with respect to income, work environment, acceptance by others, recognition, and achievement. However, they believed farm employment provided more independence on the job and viewed the rural farm setting as a desirable environment in which to reside and raise a family. (NEC)