Fruit Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
apples, peaches, strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees, and maple syrup.
Apples, Peaches, Plums and Pears

Workers will perform various tasks involved in planting, c+visor to change, or to help someone sporadically. Picking units will be kept free of limbs, leaves or mushy fruit. Workers will be required to pick up and return picking ladders to the ladder wagon provided by the grower at the end of each work day as directed by the grower or designated supervisor.

Pruning

While pruning trees, workers will receive proper tools for the particular job, i.e. saw, pruners and hand snips. The supervisor will set a standard or pattern for each orchard and will demonstrate and communicate this to workers. Workers will be assigned rows of trees and must prune each tree according to the predetermined standard. In some instances, pruning will be done from a six-foot ladder weighing up to 30 lbs. All workers must be able to lift and carry ladder, as well as work from the top of the ladder. Workers must remove all resulting materials from the trees rendered from performing pruning tasks. When pruning is complete on each tree, each worker is required to rake and scatter the resulting brush in the center of the tractor/equipment middles. Workers will be required to pick up and return pruning ladders to the ladder wagon provided by the grower at the end of each work day or as directed by the grower or designated supervisor.

Thinning

While thinning trees, workers will be instructed as to how close together fruit should be spaced and what fruit is most desirable to leave or take. The supervisor will set a standard or pattern for each orchard and will demonstrate and communicate this to workers. In some instances, thinning will be done from a six-foot ladder weighing up to 30 lbs. All workers must be able to list and carry ladder, as well as work from the top of the ladder. Rows will be assigned to each worker and it is the responsibility of the worker to complete the trees on the row according to the supervisor's instructions. Limbs must not be torn from the tree, nor should limbs be completely stripped of leaves, blossoms or fruit. Proper spacing and selection of fruit is critical to maximizing the trees' potential yield. Thinners will thin fruit using hands and/or plastic bat to knock off excess fruit taking care to walk around entire tree before moving to the next. Workers will be required to pick up and return thinning ladders to the ladder wage on provided by the grower at the end of each work day or as directed by the grower or designated supervisor.

Orchard Maintenance

Workers may be required to hoe trees, girdle, spread fertilizer, pick up roots and limbs, strip suckers or unwanted growth from trees, dib root suckers, knock fruit off trees, remove vines, lay irrigation pipe, repair and maintain drip system, strap and tie fruit trees, mow and maintain grounds. Instruction will be given for each task and standards of performance communicated to workers. The specific standards for a job will be disclosed and demonstrated by the supervisor before the work begins.

Strawberries

Workers will prepare beds prior to planting. They will help plant strawberries with the help of a mechanical planter and by hand. They will help with weed control by hoeing and pulling weeds throughout the season. They will pull blossoms on newly planted strawberries. They will assist in placing irrigation pipes in fields and monitor their use. They will help cover plants with straw when dormant. They will remove straw from plants in the spring. They will pick berries, carefully selected ripe berries and place them carefully in provided containers. They may be asked to transport these berries from field to market in vehicle provided. They will be expected to perform any work association with the production of strawberries.

Pumpkins

Workers will plant, cultivate and harvest pumpkins.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of three months of verifiable prior experience pruning commercial dwarf fruit bearing trees in an orchard. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 100 lbs.