Apple Harvesting

Job description

The worker will perform job duties as assigned by supervisor. They will vary from time to time depending on crop ripening and weather. The work is temporary and will last from July to November.

Apple Harvesting-The worker will position a ladder as close to the tree and climb to harvest the apples. The apples are harvested by grabbing the apple and gently rolling it upward toward the spur until the fruit comes off. The fruit is then placed in a picking sack until it is filled to the rim. The worker will then carry the sack to the closest bin to dump out the fruit. The worker then positions the full apple picking sack just above the apples in the bin. Next, the worker releases the closing apparatus to open the bottom of the apple picking bag. The worker will rest it gently on the apples in the bin. Then, slowly lift the apple picking bag, while carefully drawing it over the top of the bin. The picked apples are gently placed on top of the apples in the bin.

Blackberry and Raspberry Harvesting & Packing-In order to perform this kind of work, the worker must be able to walk down the field row carrying a harvesting rack strapped to their waist that holds a flat(s) with clam shells. The worker must check the bush and look for the ripe berries. The worker will pick the ripe berries off the bush by grasping the berries between the forefinger and thumbnail, then lightly pulling and twisting at the same time and letting the berry roll into the palm of their hand being careful not to bruise them. The worker will then gently place the fruit in
a clamshells that sit in the flat that is being held up by the harvesting rack until it is full taking care not to overfill the container or over pack the berries. The full flat will be taken to a loading truck where quality control workers will inspect the flats to make sure the berries have been picked to specification and not over packed in the clam shells. An empty flat with clam shells is given back to the worker and the process is started again.

Field Work-The worker will lay ground cloth or mulch, cut ditches, and pickup/burn trash, perform general cleaning, weeding, picking, planting, complete weather related horticultural/cultivation tasks, prune blackberries bushes, put down and maintain irrigation, and packing of blackberries.

The worker must be able to work outside for 6 hours a day in all kinds of weather including, but not limited to extreme cold and hot conditions, direct sunlight, and rain. Workers must have the required physical strength and endurance to repeat the process rapidly and skillfully involved in this type of work. Workers will perform prolonged walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying 0-80 lbs. The worker will be given specific instructions as to how to properly perform the work specified in the Job Description and Requirements Section on the first day of work. Workers who do not perform the work as specified in the Job Description and Requirements Section may be terminated.

The employer will provide the tools necessary to perform the described job duties without charge to the worker. The employer will charge the worker for reasonable costs related to the worker's refusal or negligent failure to return the tools or due to such worker's willful damage or destruction of the tools.

Special Requirements

The worker must be responsible and consistent on the job. The worker must be able to lift 0-80 lbs. continuously throughout the day and work in all kinds of weather.