Farm Laborer

Job description

The farm work position includes duties associated with the harvesting and field packing of watermelon and honeydew This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 75 pounds for long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. It also includes making important decisions based on size, coloring, and ripeness according to prescribed standards.

This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standard operating procedures and the ability to work quickly and consistently alongside fellow workers with a positive, professional, team- based attitude and a consideration for the safety and health of fellow workers and of the consumers who will purchase and consume the fresh produce grown, harvested, packed, and shipped from the farm.

Watermelons: Workers will be required to turn watermelon vines from drive-rows. Instruction will be given for each task and standards of performance communicated to worker. Workers will be assigned a row or series of rows and required to select and pick produce according to criteria outlined and demonstrated by managers such as size, coloring, and ripeness. They will be responsible for in-field grading and discarding of poor quality, rotting, and/or over-ripened produce. Workers will gently load the good quality produce into wagons, taking care to avoid damage or bruising. Workers will unload wagons at the packing shed and place fruit onto a conveyer belt to grade and then pack the fruit into boxes. Workers visually grade harvested produce and remove culls. Workers need to use both hands while grading at all times. Workers will be required to pack watermelons Instruction will be given for each task and standards of performance communicated to worker. Workers will unload containers at the packing shed and place fruit onto a conveyer belt to grade and then pack the fruit into boxes. Workers visually grade harvested produce and remove culls. Workers need to use both hands while grading at all times. Workers pack the graded produce in appropriate containers by hand. Filled boxes and cartons are stacked carefully by prescribed pattern and height onto pallets and secured by netting or tape. They will be responsible for in-field grading and discarding of poor quality, rotting, and/or over-ripened produce.

Honey Dew: Workers must use care when performing their farm work duties and exercise consciousness to not damage or bruise the fruit and vegetables. Workers will be responsible for planting, weeding, harvesting. Workers must adhere to all safety rules as instructed by their supervisors and all farm work operations must meet the standards and specifications given by the employer. Workers will be assigned a row or series of rows and required to select and pick produce according to criteria outlined and demonstrated by managers such as size, coloring, and ripeness. They will be responsible for in-field grading and discarding of poor quality, rotting, and/or over-ripened produce. Workers will gently load the good quality produce onto conveyors, taking care to avoid damage or bruising. Passing fruit will then be placed in boxes.