Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, winter squash, summer squash, sweet corn, cucumbers, melons, beans, pickling cucumbers, okra, eggplant, tomatillos and pumpkins.
Perform manual labor to plant, cultivate, harvest, grade and pack cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, winter squash, summer squash, sweet corn, cucumbers, melons, pickling cucumbers, okra, eggplant, pumpkins and tomatillos by hand and mechanically plant and harvest beans. Seed transplants. Lay and/or remove plastic. Clean greenhouse planting areas. Plant cabbage, pepper, eggplant, okra, tomato or tomatillo by hand placing transplants into holes along rows. Cucumber, pepper, eggplant, okra, tomato or tomatillo will be picked from plants by hand and placed into five gallon buckets. When bucket is full, carry to dumper on trailer that is moving through rows alongside workers. Plant sweet corn, squash, melon or cucumber by walking rows and placing seeds into holes. Cut cabbage and squash using a knife, place into five gallon bucket and carry full bucket to dumper on trailer. Harvest sweet corn by pulling ears off of stalks, place in five gallon bucket until full and then carry to dumper on trailer. Harvest melon by cutting stems from the vine using knives. Workers will then pick up harvested melons and pitch to another worker who will either gently place into bins or pitch it to another worker within an assembly line. Weed, thin and prune crops. Stake and unstake tomatoes, peppers and squash. Workers must select harvestable produce based on correct size, maturity and quality. Use hand tools such as shovels, tampers, pruning hooks, machetes, hoes and knives. Till soil. Apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to crops. Grade, sort, wash, select,and label harvested products. Pack and load harvested products according to quality, size and color. Stack boxes onto pallets, transport vehicles or trailers. Use hammers, wire clippers and other tools to construct trellises, fences, and farm structures. Clean and maintain all grounds and facilities. Repair fences and farm buildings. Participate in irrigation activities including setting up and operating irrigation equipment. As a minor activity, operate, repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements and mechanical equipment including tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops. Clear and maintain fields, irrigation ditches and work areas. Workers will not break skin of tomatoes, damage, drop or bruise produce, or leave any appropriate product on the plant during harvest. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may transport other workers in vehicles provided and insured by the employer and be offered additional hours. Assist with Good Agricultural policies. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.

Workers that have consistently performed tasks correctly, are willing to demonstrate tasks and ensure tasks are done correctly, and relay information to the supervisor, and have worked at Missouri Vegetable Farm, LLC for at least two years may direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, cultivating, pruning, harvesting and packing activities. Workers must show attention to quality and the specs the product being packed. Bi-lingual is preferred but not required. Workers will be considered based on factors relevant to work being performed. When assigned the duty, the employer will offer an hourly rate of $19-22/hour depending upon experience and skill.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays.

Special Requirements

One month of verifiable commercial farm vegetable harvesting experience required. Perform prolonged walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting and carrying of 50 lbs. Work on feet in stooped or crouched position for long periods of time. Work in extreme temperatures ranging from 40 to 105 degrees and have physical stamina. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.