Farmworker/laborer

Job description

Pruning-Worker will be required to prune numerous varieties of grape vines and cherry trees according to established company procedures and as directed by supervisor. Pruning technique may be different depending on variety.
Pay will be hourly.
Hand Planting/Establishing Vineyard: Worker will plant vines and trees. Planting task requires repetitive and physically demanding shovel work and use of post-hole digger to install posts. Worker will provide general labor to assist in the establishment of new vineyards by clearing and/or preparing property for planting, constructing trellis, planting vines and other tasks associated with new vineyard establishment.
Pay will be hourly.
Vine re-planting: Worker will be required to dig out dead vine with a shovel or using a tractor and auger. Worker will place a new vine in the hole, replace 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. An RTV may be used during this task.
Pay will be hourly.
Vine Layering: Worker will remove dead vine with a shovel or 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 supervisor, 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 be required to put a grow tube in place.
Pay will be hourly.
RTV/Tractor/Loader operation for various vineyard tasks: – Some workers may be required to operate equipment such as RTVs, tractors, or loaders for various vineyard tasks. Employers will provide additional training for this task. Worker may use a tractor for general mowing, net application, and removal in vineyards.
Pay will be hourly.
Vehicle Driving: 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 locations. To be eligible for driving work, worker must understand and agree to driving rules, as outlined in work rules below.
Pay will be hourly.
Grape Hand Harvest: Worker will hand harvest grapes from vines according to size, quality and color as directed by supervisor. Worker will use harvest shears and pruners to carefully remove grapes from vines. Workers will be required to leave grapes on vine that have sour rot or dry rot on the vine. Worker will pick grape clusters into harvesting lugs that are 35 pounds when full. Workers will pre-place lugs within the vineyard rows. Once the row is completely harvested, worker will dump lugs into larger container weighing up to 60 pounds. Workers will clean bins and lugs. Worker will be required to stoop, bend, safely use harvest shears or pruners for long periods of time. Worker will lift up to 60 pounds during harvest activities.
Pay will be hourly.

Special Requirements

Job requires worker to complete tasks in Vineyards, cherry orchards, grounds maintenance tasks and hand harvest.
2 verifiable months of commercial agriculture experience in hand harvesting fruit required. Applicants must furnish job references from recent employers within the last 3 years establishing acceptable prior experience.
Drug testing done at employers expense not utilized as pre-employment tool.