Farmworkers And Laborers
Employer
Earl Finley Road, Hwy 15
Richton, MS 39476
United States
Job description
Manually plant, cultivate, harvest, blueberries. Prune blueberry bushes using pruning shears and loppers. Each worker may be given a picking card, which he will keep throughout the workday. Workers may receive a hooked belt and carry 2– 1-gallon picking buckets as they move down assigned rows picking all ripe berries, placing them in the bucket. Each worker must pick the plants clean of all ripe fruit. When buckets are filled, the worker will take to the Supervisor who then punches their picking card. Harvest by use of mechanical equipment, load and transport blueberries to processing shed, located on farm. Use hand tools, shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, knives, and baskets as needed. Inspect field irrigation systems; replace damaged pipes, valves, water jets, sprinklers, etc. using necessary equipment. May construct trellises, handle minor repairs to farm fences, existing buildings, replace damaged posts using wire stretchers, hammers, paint, brushes, etc. Load mulch on trailer and move to fields, unload and spread mulch around plants as needed. Inspect the field to maintain a 3 to 5 foot weed free strip between rows by removing weeds, grass, etc. Duties may include tilling soil, applying fertilizers and pesticides, clean, load-harvested products, post-harvest cleanup & other related activities. Workers will be trained on applying fertilizers and pesticides. Inspect bushes for damage, disease or insect infestation and remove or replace as directed by farm manager. Clean, adjust and make minor repairs to machinery and implements, oiling moving parts and checking before and after use.
Special Requirements
Workers must have 3 months experience in planting, cultivating, harvesting and pruning blueberries. Must be 18 years or older. Employer may conduct a criminal background check on all new applicants for employment. All tools, supplies, and equipment will be provided at no cost to the workers. Employer may request but cannot require workers to work on their Sabbath. The majority of the day is spent on ones feet and outdoors and involves exposure to sun, wind, rain, soil, mud, dust, heat, cold and natural elements. Workers must be able to stand, sit, squat, kneel, crouch, bend (from waist), push, pull, reach, lift and carry items from 5 to 30 pounds in the course of performing required activities.