Farmworker/laborer

Job description

FARM LABORER:
Pruning Worker will be required to prune numerous varieties of grape vines according to established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties.

Hand Planting/Establishing Vineyard: Worker will plant vineyards and trees. These tasks will include repetitive and physically demanding shovel work, use of post-hole digger to install posts. Worker will provide general labor to assist in the establishment of new vineyard properties by clearing and/or preparing property, trellis construction activities, planting vines and other labor considered necessary for the efficient structure of new vineyard properties.

Vine re-planting: Worker will be required to dig out dead vine with a shovel and/or in conjunction with a tractor and auger and place a new vine in the hole, replacing the soil (with the graft 2 inches above the soil line) and gently tamp down around the new vine. Worker will then install a vine stave, tie the stave to the tie wire and tie the vine to the stave then place a grow tube around the new vine. This may be done in conjunction with use of an RTV.

Vine layering: Worker tasks include dead vine removal with a shovel and/or in conjunction with a tractor and auger. Worker will use a cane that is growing from the base of the neighboring vine. Worker will cut a small v in the new cane, as directed by manager, and apply rooting hormone to the cut area. Worker will then dig out a trench/hole where the cane from the neighboring plant will be placed. Worker will replace the soil and gently tamp down. Worker will install stave and tie to the tie wire of the trellis. Worker will tie the new buried cane to the stave. Worker may utilize grow tube as part of process.

RTV/Tractor/Loader operation for various vineyard tasks Some workers may be required to operate equipment vehicles for various vineyard tasks. Employers will provide additional training for this task. Worker may use mower and tractor solely for general mowing and net application and removal in vineyards.

Vehicle Driving: If worker is eligible to drive under Michigan law and provides proof of no infractions from official source, Employers may require worker to drive to and from the worksite and to other locations within 30 miles as directed. To be eligible for driving job, worker must understand and agree to driving rules, as outlined in work rules below.

Pay will be hourly.

Special Requirements

2 verifiable months of commercial agriculture experience in fruit required. Applicants must furnish job references from recent employers within the last 3 years establishing acceptable prior experience.

Season Commitment: Job offered requires worker be available for and worker agrees to work every day that work is available for entire employment period.

Worker must be able to perform job description duties in safe manner consistent with established safety procedures.
During harvest, worker must work at a pace consistent with amount, quality and efficiency of 0.75 ton of clean (no leaves, no damaged or rotted clusters) hand harvested grapes per day.

Field work begins at assigned time shortly after daylight. Work may be scheduled during moderate rain, in high humidity, when vines are wet with dew/rain, and in temperatures as low as 30 degrees F and up to 105 degrees F. Worker should have suitable clothing for variable weather conditions.