Farmworker/laborer/harvester

Job description

H-2A and corresponding domestic workers must be available to perform each of the following job activities in connection with the harvesting and farming operations:

Farm Worker/Laborer/Harvester: Lettuce (Romaine, Iceberg, Spring Mix, Green Leaf – Leafy Crops / Leafy Greens), Planting, Growing, Irrigators, Weeding, Cooler-Packing Facility, Prepare freshly harvested crop for shipment, General Farm Labor / General Ranch Maintenance, Forklift Drivers, Tractor Drivers to perform the following duties:

Perform manual labor to prepare fields for planting of leafy and vegetable crops - lettuce of various leaf varieties and other leafy greens. Workers must till soil, weed, plant, and clean farm areas; perform seed treatment; harvest; participate in irrigation activities, set up / operate irrigation equipment, clear and maintain irrigation ditches.

General farm labor will include the following responsibilities: maintain, drive, attach and operate farm implements/tractors/forklifts/equipment/machinery to till soil, plant, space, cultivate, treat seeds, fertilize, weed, thin, and prune/crop plots. Workers may also make minor mechanical adjustments, repairs, and maintenance of farm machinery; may mix and/or spray chemicals (according to appropriate restrictive use laws, when/if applicable); remove undesirable and excess growth from farm grounds; remove rocks from fields; perform general cleanup of farm areas.

Irrigation: Field worker to perform the following duties:

Irrigation Flood: Workers walk on uneven furrows. Using a shovel, workers shape and/or remove soil gates within the furrow to give access or obstruct water flow in the field. Workers have to manually connect plastic pipes that connect the water source line into the field. These pipes weigh approximately 5lb, are 5ft in length, and 2’’ in width.

Pre-Irrigation: Workers walk on wet uneven furrows and across beds. Field workers move within the field looking for any non-working or clogged sprinklers. Under the direction of the field supervisor, workers make sure sprinklers aren’t clogged or have any pipe disconnected. Pre-irrigation is used to water down soil and prepare the field prior to farming.

Irrigation: Workers walk on uneven furrows. Field workers pick and/or lay sprinklers and irrigation pipes. Employees are grouped in groups of 3 workers. One worker drives the tractor, and the other two workers walk behind a tractor and a trailer that carries aluminum pipes. Under the direction of the field supervisor, the worker grabs the pipes and sprinklers and by bending at the waist they have to manually unload and/or load pipes into the furrow to set the field up for irrigation following transplanting. Under the direction of the supervisor, the employee starts, turns on and off the irrigation cycles by adjusting the speed and pressure. Also when required, the employee applies fertilizers to the irrigation.

Break/move pipes: Workers walk on uneven furrows. Field workers pick and/or lay sprinklers and irrigation pipes. After a transplanted field is watered down, workers have to move and/or break irrigation pipe lines. Under the direction of the field supervisor, field workers have to move and carry the aluminum pipes and sprinklers from one furrow into the next as needed to water down the field evenly. Aluminum pipes and sprinklers weigh approximately 50 lbs, 30ft in length, 2 ½ in width.

Special Requirements

1-month experience in general farm work and harvesting to avoid crop damage and personal injury. Written verification of experience is required. Workers must stand, sit, crouch, bend, reach, lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds in the course of performing required activities. Workers must be able to listen, understand, and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.

The company's Employment Arbitration Agreement is set forth in this Clearance Order outlining the procedures to follow in raising concerns to seek their prompt resolution with an option to arbitrate unresolved matters.