Data about the farm machinery mechanics trade were obtained from 51 managers of farm machinery dealerships in Texas to determine the content that should be included in courses of study designed to train persons to enter the occupation, and to obtain information about the occupation that would be useful to persons considering the trade as an occupational goal. All data were collected by teachers of vocational agriculture utilizing the personal interview technique. Some major conclusions were: (1) concerted efforts be made to encourage young men to select a career in the mechanics trade, (2) persons selected to be trained as mechanics demonstrate the aptitude to become competent, (3) efforts be made jointly by educators, industry and other groups to expand mechanics training programs, (4) programs for training mechanics be staffed with persons who have trade competence, and (5) courses of study include experience designed to develop the personal attributes needed by competent mechanics. (DM)