Farmworker/laborer

Job description

Worker will be required to prune numerous varieties of grape vines according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Worker will prune plants, mow, mulch, soil amendments, prepare trays and pots, plant, propagating, harvesting, destemming lavender and elderberries, weeding, spraying diluted neem oil to deter insects, assisting in changing tractor implements, building inventory, tapping maple trees, boiling maple sap, washing produce. Worker will remove shoots from the trunk of the vine, generally below the tie wire, according to supervisor instructions. Worker will position shoots in an upward or downward position within the trellis wires. Wires may need to be manually moved during this process. Worker will remove the side, lateral shoots growing between the leaf petiole and the main shoot. Worker will remove leaves from around the fruit zone. Worker will remove small shoots from canes. Worker will remove excessive fruit from the shoot. Worker will perform vineyard canopy management to permit light and air to circulate around grapevines, including thinning fruit and removing shoots, leaves and vines. Worker will select and remove clusters as needed, as directed by supervisor. Worker may be required to hedge upper canopy by hand. Worker will be required to dig out dead vine with a shovel and/or in conjunction with a tractor and auger and place a new vine in the hole, replacing the soil (with the graft 2 inches above the soil line) and gently tamp down around the new vine. Worker will then install a vine stave, tie the stave to the tie wire and tie the vine to the stave then place a grow tube around the new vine. This may be done in conjunction with use of an RTV. Worker tasks include dead vine removal with a shovel and/or in conjunction with a tractor and auger. Worker will use a cane that is growing from the base of the neighboring vine. Worker will cut a small "v" in the new cane, as directed by manager, and apply rooting hormone to the cut area. Worker will then dig out a trench/hole where the cane from the neighboring plant will be placed. Worker will replace the soil and gently tamp down. Worker will install stave and tie to the tie wire of the trellis. Worker will tie the new buried cane to the stave. Worker may place grow tubes as directed by manager. Grape sorting and stem removal: Worker will assist in grape sorting and stem removal of grape clusters prior to grape crushing/pressing. RTV/Tractor/Loader operation for various vineyard tasks: Some workers may be required to operate equipment such as a tractor, loader or rough terrain vehicle (RTV) for various vineyard tasks. Employers will provide additional training for this task.
If worker is eligible to drive under Michigan law and provides proof of no infractions from official source, Employer may require worker to drive to and from the worksite and to other locations within 40 miles as directed. To be eligible for driving job, worker must understand and agree to driving rules.

Pay will be hourly.

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in vineyard and grounds maintenance tasks and grape hand harvest.
Experience Requirement: 2 verifiable months of commercial hand harvest agricultural experience in fruit or vegetables required.
Applicants must furnish job references from recent employers within the past 5 years establishing acceptable prior experience.
Drug Testing done at employers' expense and not utilized as a preemployment tool.