Field Workers: Garlic Machine & Hand Harvesting

Job description

H-2A and corresponding domestic workers must be available to perform each of the following job activities in connection with the harvesting and farming operations:

Field Workers: Garlic Machine & Hand Harvesting, Garlic Windrowing, Topping & Harvest, Bell Pepper Machine Harvest, Cherry Harvest, Corn Harvest, Garlic Digger, Digger Rider, Machine Harvesting Garlic & Shallot, Weeding, Pipe Irrigation, removing pipes from field, Drip Irrigation, Tractor Driver, General Farm Labor (Cracking Seed, Moving & Setting up Pipes, Removal of Drip Tape, Repairing Equipment) / General Ranch Maintenance, Packing shed/facility (on the farm, preparing freshly harvested crops for shipment in their original, unmanufactured state - sorting, palletizing & grading) to perform the following duties:

Garlic topping/ hand harvest: This job requires the employee to top garlic in an open field on hands and knees with company provided shears. Topping garlic is a process by which the garlic bulb roots and stems are cut with shears, placed in a bucket then dumped into a bin for processing. Employee must handle garlic bulbs with caution to avoid damage. Employee will need to insure minimal amount of dirt, roots and trash are not placed in bucket. Employee must be able to handle pulled garlic on hands and knees; separate, pull, grasp, cut, clip, and lift buckets to the bin; safely walk on uneven ground in different parts of the field to perform the work.

Garlic windrowing: This job requires the employee to work in an open field on hands and knees by pulling garlic and placing it on the ground. Windrowing garlic is a process in which the garlic is laid on the windrow covered with garlic stems on top of each other. Employees will need to ensure that pulled garlic is completely separated, shaken to remove dirt, and placed on windrow/ furrow covered with garlic stems to avoid sun damage. Employee must be able to pull up long leaves on hands and knees; separate, lift and grasp; work and reach garlic moving up to 40” bed; safely walk on uneven ground in different part of the fields to perform the work.

Harvesting of bell pepper: This job requires the employee to work in an open field following behind the bell pepper belt and picking matured, ripened bell peppers by placing them in a bucket and dumping the peppers onto the harvesting belt. Harvesting bell peppers is a process in which the bell pepper is picked from the vine, leaving the stem attached. Employee must insure that the picked bell peppers are fully matured and ripened. Employee must be able to pick bell peppers; lift a plastic bucket; separate, lift and grasp; safely walk on uneven ground in different parts of the field to perform the work.

Corn harvester: This job requires the employee to work in an open outside environment to cut and pack mature ears of corn in a box. Corn harvesting is a process in which mature corn is cut from the stalk with a corn knife and then placed on a packing table. The corn is then packed by hand and by count into a cardboard box. Employee must insure that packed mature corn ears are properly placed in a box. Employee must handle corn ears with caution to avoid product damage. Employee must be able to stand, lift and pack boxes of product; separate and grasp; safely walk on an uneven ground in different parts of the field to perform the work.

Palletizing: Workers get boxes of approximately 20lbs to 40lbs and from a pallet stacks them on a pallet in different forms and ties them together. Once pallet is full, worker slides them using a pallet jack in distances from 1ft to 10ft.

Special Requirements

Requirements: 2-months experience harvesting crops to avoid crop damage and personal injury. Written verification of experience is required. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of the product. Must be able to use shears, clippers and other agricultural tools (i.e., hand saw (can be powered by gas)); no smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort in the housing or work fields. Worker safety on the job and in employer-provided housing is our top priority. Workers may not possess, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or other controlled substances at the worksite or in the employer-provided housing. Fighting, including but not limited to, verbal, physical, or through social media or texts, and any threats or act of violence, and/or disruptive behavior against another individual or against property will not be tolerated, particularly acts of violence committed while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.