Farmworker

Job description

Plant, cultivate, harvest, grade and field pack berries, grapes and onions as instructed by supervisor. Pull, bundle, bag and load onion sprouts onto trucks. Walk down rows and throw (pitch) onion sprouts into beds. Workers will then place sprout into pre-dug hole and cover with dirt. Any extra sprouts will be taken to the next row. Harvest onions by picking up onions, clipping top and roots using shears, placing in bucket and dumping bucket into bin. Open fields by moving onions from one row to another row to open up a driveway for the machinery. Hand harvest berries and grapes by gently picking from bush/vine, placing into bucket/clamshell and placing into designated area. Manage vineyard canopy to permit light and air circulation. Thin fruit and remove shoots, leaves and vines. Performs vineyard maintenance activities. Install and maintain bird netting. Assist/move harvested fruit from field to processing area. May perform general indoor tasks or post-harvest activities when outdoor vineyard work is not available (all such activities will be performed incident to or in conjunction with vineyard operation). Identify and remove the proper canes and vines while retaining the fruiting wood and renewal spurs. Must demonstrate and consistently utilize pruning practices that assure vine balance and preserve vine health. Trellis, prune, trim, and maintain crops. Spread and remove ground covers. Place and monitor bug traps. Train berry canes. Monitor growth for tipping/pruning. Grade, size, and sort product according to color, shape, size, appearance, feel, and/or quality, in accordance with supervisor's instructions and employer standards. Inspect products for damage/defects and discard inferior products and foreign matter. Place product in bins/trays and other containers according to grade and mark grades on containers. Weigh products and record weight and/or grade. Handle product carefully to prevent damage. Stack boxes/containers onto pallet. Clean plastic by hand from ground upon removal. Till soil. Weed and thin plants. Stake/tie plants, and set poles and wires for plants. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants. Install, operate, move, repair and maintain irrigation equipment/systems and water lines. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Operate, clean, repair and maintain farm vehicles, tractors and equipment. Mow and cut fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Lift, carry, and load/unload products, materials or supplies. Workers are also responsible for farm and field sanitation including picking up trash and cleaning bathrooms and other farm sanitation duties. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repair fences. Clean and maintain fields, work areas and equipment. Inform supervisors of crop progress. As a minor activity, workers will harvest and bale pine straw from berry fields and load/unload bales as instructed. Assist with Good Agricultural Practices policies. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays.

Special Requirements

Two months of farmwork experience required. Work outdoors in inclement weather conditions. Work requires repetitive movements and frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing/pulling and lifting, carrying and loading up to 20 lbs. Must be 18 years or older.