Farm Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Blueberries, wine grapes, watermelon, mint, apples, hops, squash, organic sweet corn, cauliflower.
All Crops:

Shoot Positioning –
Move catch wires on trellis to upward position with the goal of keeping shoots vertical. OR: Remove catch wires and drop to the ground. Tuck shoots under catch wires after they have been moved.

Shoot Thinning –
Remove shoots from vines/trees/plants or bushes in order to improve light penetration, air movement throughout the canopy and adjust crop yields.

1st – 3rd Years & Mature Tying & Training –
Follow crop specific indications as dictated by management and with the use of a small hand pruner, remove excess wood from newly planted vine/bush or tree.
In grapes - install grow tube around vine and tie to trainer and trellis stakes using plastic tying material. Plus, removing of soil from base of vine and sealing the base of the grow tube.
In apples - trimming side limbs off or heading the tree right after planting (depends on grower desire) then, staking tree or securing it to trellis wire (once trellis is in).

Fertilizer Application –
Workers will be supervised by a licensed person. If the chemical requires a license to apply, they will be licensed themselves.
Dependent upon crop and as dictated by management- mix and apply fertilizer either by hand or with farm implement.
If by Implement:
Depending on weather, determine spray job to be performed.
Fill tanks with appropriate mixture of fertilizer, based on recommendation provided.
Ensure tractor and sprayer are clean and appropriately maintained, including greased and oiled.
Apply fertilizer to plants by operating tractor and spray implement.
Perform maintenance and repair as needed, with the guidance of supervision.

Herbicide Application –
Workers will be supervised by a licensed person. If the chemical requires a license to apply, they will be licensed themselves.
Dependent upon crop and as dictated by management- mix and apply herbicide either by hand or with farm implement.
If by Implement:
Following direction of spray supervisor, and depending on weather, determine spray job to be performed.
Fill tanks with appropriate mixture of herbicide, based on recommendation provided.
Ensure tractor and sprayer are clean and appropriately maintained, including greased and oiled.
Apply herbicide to plants by operating tractor and spray implement.
Perform maintenance and repair as needed, with the guidance of supervision.

Pesticide Application –
Workers will be supervised by a licensed person. If the chemical requires a license to apply, they will be licensed themselves.
Dependent upon crop and as dictated by management, mix and apply pesticide either by hand or with farm implement.
If by Implement:
Following direction of spray supervisor, and depending on weather, determine spray job to be performed.
Fill tanks with appropriate mixture of pesticide, based on recommendation provided.
Ensure tractor and sprayer are clean and appropriately maintained, including greased and oiled.
Apply pesticide to plants by operating tractor and spray implement.
Weed mat repair/removal/replacement:
Repairing/removing or replacing weed mat, as dictated by management by fixing holes, placing new weed mat or removing old or damaged weed mat and securing weed mat to ground using tools and staples.

Hand Cultivation –
Pull, cut, hoe weeds in cultivated rows, as dictated by management dependent upon the crop - taking care not to damage plants and weed mat.
May be required to maneuver tree guards to remove plant material.
Spread and remove ground covers when needed.

Special Requirements

Jobs are offered working in vineyards, blueberries or hops, handling manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.