Farm Laborer
Employer
394 S. CR 315
Interlachen, FL 32148
United States
Job description
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest blueberries, strawberries, blackberries using hand tools such as shovels, rakes, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, knives, baskets/buckets; maintain crops by performing duties such as staking, pruning, tilling soil, applying fertilizers and pesticides, weeding; inspect the fields to maintain a 3 to 5 foot weed free strip between rows by removing weeds, grass, etc from walkways and remove all weeds growing around plants by hand using a hoe/pickaxe; remove weeds from the growing area by raking piles of debris and disposing of them as directed by the supervisor; perform miscellaneous blueberry farm clean-up work such as repair and/or replace irrigation equipment, removal of debris and other general clean-up work as required such as cleaning the fields, harvesting tools and equipment; worker goes behind harvesters and picks what was left behind by harvesters and/or reports to supervisors; may also, at times, pick alongside harvesters depending on need; unhook drip-tape from the main water line, walk down row while pulling drip-tape up and pulling plastics down the bed until it is completely removed; remove plastics by pulling plastics up, take removed plastics and drip-tape to proper disposal or burning station, as instructed by the supervisor; repair seed beds and racks, set up and move irrigation pipes and equipment. On the first workday, employer will provide specific instructions (up to 1 hour) on proper way to perform crop activity. Thereafter, worker will be expected to perform task with diligence as instructed. By the beginning of the second working day, workers will be expected to perform work in a manner specified by employer and described herein, while not adversely affecting productivity of other workers. After seven-day introductory period, workers who fail to meet standard specified previously and/or fail to perform work in the manner specified may be terminated. Workers must work at a sustained, vigorous pace and make bona fide efforts to work efficiently and consistently that are reasonable under climatic, horticultural, and other working conditions, considering also the amount, quality, and efficiency of work accomplished by similarly situated workers who are experienced in this activity. Conduct hand or mechanical harvest of fruit, by placing quality fruit into designated container. May load and transport berries to processing shed (located on farm). May inspect irrigation systems; replace damaged pipes, valves, water jets, sprinklers, etc. using necessary equipment. May construct trellises, repair farm fences, existing buildings replace damaged posts using wire stretchers, hammers, paint, brushes, etc. May clean, adjust and do minor repairs to machinery and implements, oiling moving parts, and replacing damaged parts. Clean, adjust, stack, and transport containers(lugs) from field to packing house via tractor or small vehicle (located on farm). Load mulch on trailer and move to fields, unload, and spread mulch around plants as needed.
Special Requirements
Monday-Saturday, Schedule varies, Start/end times will vary depending on weather and crop conditions. Some Sundays depending on the needs of the farm. 1 month experience required in blueberry care & harvesting.