Farmworker Diversified

Job description

Workers will perform assigned duties as instructed by their supervisor. Duties may vary from time to time. Workers will be trained in the proper field and shed sanitation. Workers must follow field and shed sanitation requirements at all times. Not following these requirements are cause for Discipline and/or Termination:

Sweet Corn: Workers will manually harvest and pack sweet corn by hand and machine. Corn harvesting will be performed mule train style in crews on approximately 20 pullers. Workers will be pulling sweet corn off the stalk and tossing into a metal bin on the mule train. Workers will walk behind, in front of, or drive the mule train. Workers must keep up with the mule train as it moves slowly through the field at a speed ranging from ½ mile to one mile per hour. Assemble boxes/crates on the top of the mule train. Packers will pick corn out of the bins and place 48 ears into pre-made crates. Packed crates are then moved to workers who will fold and close the lid of the crates and push them down the conveyor belt system. Loaders will then lift and stack the full crates of corn onto the truck. Count and check the crates as they are loaded onto truck. Maintain daily log of hours and record number of harvested boxes. Corn is harvested in the early morning hours starting before daylight, while temperatures are cooler. This ensures that the sugar content of the corn is higher and provides a better-quality product. A generator powered lighting system is used during early morning hours. Workers will avoid harvesting ears of corn with discolored husks, unacceptable shanks (longer than 6 inches) or visible worn or damaged shanks. Sweet corn must be harvested by pulling down while bending and reaching to select mature ears. Workers must carefully select ears of corn of correct size and maturity and toss into bin. Workers will assist in Good Agricultural Practices polices. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended to minimize contact with the plants and thereby reduce the exposure to cuts and scrapes. Gloves are recommended when working with wooden crates.
Cabbage: Produce may be harvested and field packed. Cabbage that is not field packed will be cut using a knife, put on conveyor belt, cored, and dropped into bin. Workers will harvest leafy greens according to supervisor's instructions by walking down assigned row and cutting leafy greens with a sharp knife. Workers must use care when harvesting not to drop nor damage produce or roots. Remove any discolored or defective leaves; place bands around bundles; place into box; carry and load completed boxes onto moving trailers. May wash, wrap, and/or ice produce in the field. Stack boxes of produce onto pallets, transport vehicles or trailers. Count and check harvested produce. Assemble boxes.
Additionally, buckets and totes or lugs must be washed, sanitized, and dried between harvests. Once clean, the buckets, totes or lugs must be organized, taken to the field, and moved to various locations in the field. Additional items such as the scale, water, pallets, and pallet ties must also be organized, taken to the field, and moved to various locations in the field. These items may be hand carried, loaded, and transported on a refrigerated truck or passenger truck, or loaded and transported on another light vehicle such as a golf cart.
Workers are needed to wash, sanitize, and dry buckets, totes, and lugs and to organize and stack onto a truck or trailer items needed for harvest. Workers are also needed to organize, carry, load and unload items throughout the day.

Special Requirements

Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.