Farmworkers And Laborers

Job description

The farm work position includes duties associated with the planting, cultivating, harvesting, distribution and packing of strawberries. This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds for long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. It also includes making important decisions based on size, coloring, and ripeness according to prescribed standards. This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standard operating procedures and the ability to work quickly and consistently alongside fellow workers with a positive, professional, team-based attitude and a consideration for the safety and health of fellow workers and of the consumers who will purchase and consume the fresh produce grown, harvested, packed, and shipped from the farm.

Plastic and Drip Irrigation: Workers will help install black plastic and drip irrigation on rows in the field being careful to cover all of the exposed edges of plastic cover with soil and being careful not to tear or punch holes in plastic. Workers may be asked to utilize implements associated with the installation of the plastic row covers incidental to performing required tasks on the ground.

Strawberry Planting: Workers will plant strawberry plants in pre-punches holes on the plastic covered rows being careful to place the strawberry plants at the same depth in the soil as they grew in the nursery.

Strawberry Harvesting: Workers will bend and stoop to harvest strawberries according to size, color, shape and degree of maturity and place into field containers. Workers will be expected to pick fully ripe strawberries, discard any cat-faced, deformed, decaying or undersized berries according to supervisors instructions. Workers must carefully remove any undesirable berries from the plant that would later cause fungi to attack the plant. Workers may carry full containers weighing approximately 25 pounds to empty them into a field bin or load them onto a trailer. In some instances, workers will be expected to fill a 4-quart/one gallon plastic pail carefully filling the pail to capacity (buckets must be filled for correct measure and weight). The pails will be carried in a 2-bucket carrier to be picked in. When full, the containers will be carried to end of rows at designated truck-loading place. Then the buckets of berries will be inspected for quality and loaded for transportation to roadside market or farm coolers.

Depending on market demand, workers may also be required to pick strawberries in cups, clamshells and/or flats. Strawberries harvested specifically for sale at roadside stand as fresh market specialty basket containers must be field graded. For berries harvested for sale at roadside stands, extra care must be used to ensure that each strawberry is undamaged and perfect. All berries must be handled carefully to prevent bruising or fingernail cuts. Pickers will take extreme care not to damage the delicate berries. Quality and workmanship is of the upmost importance.

Pre and Post-Harvest Activities: Pre-harvest activities for strawberries may include weeding, transplanting and frost protection. Workers may be required to perform other tasks maintenance activities in the strawberry operation.

When harvest is completed, the workers will assist in removing the strawberry plants from the plastic and prepare for planting the next crop. In some instances, workers may be required to remove the plastic and drip irrigation tape from the row and load on the trucks for removal from field.

Loading & Unloading: Workers will be required to load and unload produce for sale at markets. Workers must take care when handling produce to not drop, damage, or scar produce. Wheel and/or cooler door chocks must be used at all times.

Special Requirements

Employer may conduct criminal background checks post-employment and at the employer's expense.

Employer may conduct drug/alcohol testing post-employment and at the employer's expense.