Farmworker

Job description

Nursery/Greenhouse Duties may include but are not limited to: preparing soil and growth media, planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning, cutting, deadheading, culling, pinching, pollinating, harvesting, trimming to shape, mowing, fertilizing with granular or liquid fertilizer, cleaning work area, operate fork lift in transporting plant materials in the greenhouse or nursery area, loading and unloading plants and all other duties associated with plant production and /or otherwise participating in horticulture activities. Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, etc. to condition land. Operate equipment necessary for the maintenance and operation of the grounds and facilities. Spray, weed and water plants, shrubs and trees. Workers will be required to perform duties to prepare crops and ensure their development into marketable products. Workers will also pick orders, space plantings, load and unload product from carts, racks, benches, wagons and trucks for crop placement. Workers must lift full and empty metal benches of plants.

Planting, Cultivating and Harvesting Vegetables/Fruits - Duties may include but are not limited to: plant, cultivate, harvest and pack produce in boxes, buckets, and/or crates. May assist in set-up of product for sale of crop. Workers are also expected to perform task of packing, weighing, and loading trucks. Produce may include a variety of cucumbers, squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peppers, grapes, berries, asparagus, broccoli, beans, cantaloupes, peas, pumpkins, melons, tomatoes, corn, and other miscellaneous fruits or vegetables.

Special Requirements

Workers will be expected to conform to the specific instructions given for each days work. Assignments will be made by employer or a designated employee. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on the same day.
Packaged produce may weigh from 50 to 75 pounds. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning and through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 30F to 110F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations. Employers will provide workers, without cost to them, with appropriate rain gear.
Considerable bending is required. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent, stooped or crouched positions for long periods of time and should be able to work in barns at heights of 10 to 30 feet if necessary. Allergies to grass, weeds, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc., may affect worker(s) ability to perform the job.