Farmworker/laborer

Job description

VINEYARD/ ORCHARD/ HOP YARD LABORER: Worker will be required to perform a variety of tasks under
supervision in vineyard, orchard and hop yard operation. Worker may be required to act as a team lead and relay
information from the supervisor to other workers.
Pruning: Worker will be required to prune numerous varieties of grape vines and apple trees according to
established company procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties. Worker will
perform pruning on vines/trees for long periods of time.

Hand Planting/Establishing: Worker will plant vineyards and hop yards. These tasks will include repetitive and
physically demanding shovel work, use of post-hole digger and gas-powered augers. Worker will provide general
labor to assist in the establishment of new vineyard and hop yard properties by clearing and/or preparing property,
planting vines or hop rhizomes and any other labor considered necessary for the efficient structure of new
vineyard or hop yard properties. Worker may be required to lift and set heavy wood or steel posts. Worker will be
required to pull wire and carry/lift and place rolls of wire weighing approximately 100 pounds. Workers will work
in teams of two or more to lift 100-pound rolls of wire, lifting approximately 50 pounds each. Worker will be
required to place anchors. Worker will be required to complete trellis installation and repair.

Tractor/Mower Driving: Some workers may be required to drive tractors and other agricultural vehicles including
UTV/ATV. Employer will provide additional training for this task. Worker may use mower for general
maintenance throughout properties.

Vineyard/ Orchard/Hop Yard Maintenance: Worker will complete vineyard, orchard and hop yard clean up tasks
to include picking up garbage around vineyard, orchard and hop yard, picking up sticks and rocks throughout the
vineyard and hop yard and other hand tasks. Performs vineyard canopy management to permit light and air to
circulate around grapevines, including thinning fruit and removing shoots, leaves and vines. Worker will select
and remove clusters as need be, as directed by supervisor. Worker may be required to hedge upper canopy by
hand. Worker will conduct replacement, removal and general maintenance of bird netting and deer fencing.

Post-Harvest Activities: Worker will assist in moving harvested fruit/hops from field to processing area/conveyor.

Vehicle Driving: If worker is eligible to drive under Michigan law, Employer may require worker to drive
Employer-provided vehicle to and from the worksite and to other locations within 30 miles as directed. Worker
must understand and agree to driving rules, as outlined in work rules below, and must receive an FLC-E
Certificate.
Worker may perform general tasks relative to hop yard, orchard and vineyard maintenance when work in
vineyard/hop yard/orchard is not available.
Pay will be hourly.

GRAPE HARVEST: Worker will harvest grapes from vines by hand and machine according to size, quality and color as directed
by supervisor. Workers will be required to leave grapes that have sour rot or dry rot on the vine. Worker will harvest into
lugs and will be required to lift up to 60 pounds. Worker will be required to stoop, bend, safely use harvest shears or pruners for long periods of time.
Pay will be piece rate.

SEE ADDENDUM C FOR ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

Special Requirements

Experience Requirement: 2 verifiable months commercial agriculture experience required. Applicants must furnish job references from employers of the last 3 years establishing acceptable prior experience.

Drug testing not utilized as a pre-employment tool.

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.

Field work begins at assigned time shortly after daylight. Work may be scheduled during moderate rain, in high humidity, when trees/vines/crops are wet with dew/rain, and in temperatures as low as 15 degrees F and up to 105 degrees F. Worker should have suitable clothing for variable weather conditions.