Farmworkers and Laborers

Work description

Workers will perform general agricultural labor including planting, cultivating, harvesting, grading, packing, loading, unloading, stacking, and shipping fruits and vegetables in fields, packinghouses, and greenhouses. Duties include handling food products in accordance with cleanliness and food safety standards; washing hands before work and after restroom use; maintaining clean work areas; and following all hygiene, safety, and sanitation requirements. Workers will assemble, fold, and stack cardboard boxes; maintain an adequate supply of assembled boxes; feed supply lines; retrieve and stage boxes; place products into containers or clamshells; pack, palletize, label, verify, and secure finished products; and operate pallet jacks as directed. Workers will also perform light housekeeping such as sweeping, removing debris, and maintaining orderly workspaces. Field duties include tilling soil; planting, transplanting, pruning, thinning, weeding, and harvesting crops; applying fertilizers and pesticides; mowing crops; clearing land; maintaining weed-free rows; inspecting and repairing irrigation systems; laying and removing plastic and drip tape; and performing manual labor such as digging, hauling, spreading manure, and removing debris. Workers may use hand tools and farm equipment and may assist with trellising, fence repair, and general farm maintenance. Harvesting duties include hand-picking and field-packing strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, vegetables, melons, and citrus; sorting and grading produce; inspecting for quality, disease, or damage; and transporting filled containers to designated areas. Mechanical aids such as conveyor belt harvesters may be used to reduce walking time. Greenhouse and nursery duties include seeding, stacking trays, loading and unloading trays, placing and consolidating materials, operating beat-out lines, classifying and palletizing trays, loading shipping trailers and bins, reading orders and tray specifications, and ensuring proper documentation. Workers may also assist with shade installation/removal, poly replacement, and tray handling operations. Workers may operate or be trained to operate tractors, forklifts, and other agricultural equipment; inspect, maintain, and perform minor repairs on machinery; and transport crops, tools, or workers on the farm. Additional responsibilities may include monitoring work activities, recording weights or production, assisting with scanning or tracking systems, and ensuring adequate supplies.

View the official U.S. Department of Labor source

Last updated: October 7, 2026