Farmworkers

Job description

Crops/Commodities: Hay, Tomatoes, Corn
Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Workers will perform intensive manual labor to prepare, maintain, and improve agricultural land for the production of corn, tomatoes, hay, and other seasonal crops. Duties include clearing and preparing fields by hand, such as cutting, trimming, and removing trees, saplings, brush, vines, and other vegetation using hand tools (e.g., chainsaws, axes, loppers, machetes) to ready land for planting. Workers will remove rocks, roots, and debris from fields, pile and dispose of cleared materials, and assist with burning or hauling of brush where permitted. Employees will manually prepare soil by hoeing, digging, raking, leveling, and forming rows and beds for planting. Workers will plant, cultivate, and maintain crops using hand tools, including weeding, thinning, pruning, staking, and applying fertilizers or soil amendments by hand or with handheld equipment. Workers will assist in hay production through manual labor tasks such as stacking, lifting, loading, and storing hay bales. Workers may assist with irrigation by laying, moving, and maintaining pipes, hoses, and related equipment. While the majority of duties are performed manually, workers may occasionally operate or assist in the operation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, mowers, or tillage implements under supervision as needed. Workers who are requested to operate employer-provided vehicles on public roads must possess a valid, insurable driver's license consistent with applicable state law and employer insurance requirements. A range of manual farm maintenance and cleanup activities will be performed to support overall agricultural operations.

Secondary duties (performed on less than half of the workdays in the contract period):
Duties include repairing and maintaining fences, posts, gates, and basic farm structures using hand tools; picking up and disposing of trash, debris, and fallen limbs; and maintaining clean and organized work areas. Workers will assist with maintaining and cleaning tools and equipment, including sharpening, fueling, and basic upkeep. Additional tasks may include loading, unloading, and carrying supplies such as seed, fertilizer, tools, and harvested materials; digging ditches or trenches for drainage or irrigation; and performing general groundskeeping activities. Workers may also assist with minor repairs to irrigation systems and other farm infrastructure.

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. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

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. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property.

Special Requirements

Three months of farmwork experience required. Work in inclement weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and dusty environments. Perform repetitive movements and prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling. Climb and work on ladder up to 6 ft. Must be 18 years of age.