Field Laborer: Strawberries

Job description

Field Worker – Strawberries to perform the following duties:

Workers will perform assigned duties within conventional and organic strawberry growing systems and involving both production and harvest work, including but not limited to;

Harvesting

• Harvesting strawberries by hand in a field of raised beds for fresh market, export market, and potentially secondary market fruit such as freezer, juice, and other food service avenues
• The harvest is performed by putting fruit directly in a clamshell which is nested in a carton and packing onto either a harvest cart or another type of harvest aid which houses the cartons.
• Harvesting consists of traditional hand harvest, machine harvest with equipment which, as its objective, aids in improving harvest efficiencies during potentially challenging parts of the season.
• If, when fruit is received and rejected by our internal or Driscoll’s quality control, it is required to be repacked and for company defined quality thresholds to be met for successful receipt of the fruit at the cooler.

Production

• Planting – Involves planting by hand or with a company provided tool, a bare root strawberry transplant, and ensuring proper depth, soil contact, along with other quality guidelines to be determined by the grower. This includes replanting of plants that did not successfully establish.

• Deblossoming – Removal of flowers on early-stage strawberry plants with company provided scissors. Employees will remove all flowers on each individual plant in the field. If quality thresholds are not met, they will be sent back to correct the error.

• Cut Runners – Removal of a stem arising from the crown of the plant that produces a clone of the original plant. Similarly, to deblossoming, this is done to preserve energy within the original plant. This is to be done with company provided scissors, and each runner is to be removed on each plant within the designated area. If grower defined quality thresholds are not met, individuals will be sent back to correct the error.

• Individuals are required to show up to work on time for each working day
• Unpermitted absences are not allowed
• If any unpermitted absences occur, the employee will be asked to not work for the next three days that work is available

Special Requirements

1 month of experience in harvesting any of the commodities listed. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50-65 pounds frequently and being able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, alcohol, firearms in the field or residential housing.

Work is performed in open fields and may involve exposure to mud, dust, wind, heat, cold, and other natural elements. Temperatures can range from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the period of employment. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the environmental and working conditions described.