Farmworker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Strawberries, Diversified Vegetables, Pumpkins, Hay/Straw.

Plant, cultivate and hand-harvest berries. Prune, trim, and maintain crop. Spread and remove ground covers. Place and monitor bug traps. Trellis berry plants. Train berry runners. Monitor growth for tipping/pruning. Pick/harvest berries according to quality standards. Load/transport harvested berries.

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. Clean empty harvesting tubs after use.

Plant, cultivate and harvest produce in a greenhouse operation. Lower and clip plants, remove shoots, prune, de-leaf, and harvest crops. Raise and lower vines. Use hand tools including, but not limited to: shovels, brooms, clippers, rakes, and knives. Plant, interplant, and transplant by hand. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops.Install drippers and hang hooks. Grading, sort, pack, and weigh product. Stack and de-stack product and supplies. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants. Assist with greenhouse and pack house maintenance and repairs.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Will clean and maintain farm equipment.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles. 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. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. 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. Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience working in a diversified crop farm handling both manual and mechanized tasks including agricultural field work and harvesting activities associated with production of fruit and vegetables. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required.