Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
grain/oilseed crops, nursery stock, vegetables.
This job requires a minimum of 3 months experience handling manual tasks associated with production of nursery stock and vegetables. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform manual tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Work in fields. Plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables. Use hand tools including, but not limited to: shovels, hoes and knives. Plant roots, seeds and bulbs. Spread plastic or other groundcovering. Clean plastic by hand from ground upon removal. Till soil. Weed and thin plants. Transplant plants by hand. Stake/tie plants, trellis/prune plants, and set poles and wires for vine plants. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops. Tie vegetables in bunches. Grade, size and field pack product. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants. Perform manual and machine tasks associated with the grain and oilseed production. Plant, cultivate and harvest crops.

Plant, cultivate, harvest, cut and bale trees. Plant seedlings or ‘liners’ by hand (including riding and inserting liners in a mechanical planter) using mattock or dibble. Prepare trees for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Hand dig trees with shovel or tree spade. Selects trees for cutting according to markings, size, species and grade. Cut trees using axe or chain saw. Drag cut trees from cutting area. Runs trees through tree baler. Inventory and grade trees. Products must be handled carefully to prevent damage.

Plant, cultivate and maintain nursery stock and/or bedding plants in condition for shipping and sale to customers. Pot seedlings or ‘liners’ by hand or mechanical planter. Propagate plants from cuttings. Perform general plant maintenance. Prune, trim, space, transplant and cull plants to ensure availability of marketable products. Irrigate. Pack, label, tag, pull, and store plants by variety. Count, grade, and inventory plants. Prepare plants for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Dig plants. Drum lacing and quarter lacing. Wrap burlap or other covering around root balls and secure with twine and/or staples. Crimp wire baskets. Products must be handled carefully to prevent damage.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences.

Work is done in the field for long periods of time. Workers may assist in handling product weighing up to 25 pounds and lifting to a height of 4 feet. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work required in fields when plants are wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from 48 to over 102 degrees F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker’s ability to perform the job. Workers should be able to do the work required with or without reasonable accommodations.

Tobacco use strictly prohibited. No smoking or tobacco use of any kind permitted in the fields, worker housing, or anywhere on company premises. This is necessary to protect against transmission of toxins and contamination from tobacco by-products.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months experience handling manual tasks associated with production of nursery stock and vegetables. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform manual tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 25 lbs.