Farmworker and Laborers, Crop

Work description

Citrus Harvesting: Harvesting citrus fruit by hand under supervisor’s instructions. The worker will place a picking sack over their shoulder and carry an 18’ to 20’ ladder from the field truck to the particular area of the grove to be harvested. The picking sack is a canvas bag equipped with a shoulder strap for support, an opening for the insertion of fruit, and an opening to remove fruit. A fully loaded sack weighs between approximately 80 and 100 pounds, depending upon the size, condition, and variety of fruit. Worker positions the ladder against the tree and within reach of the fruit in a secure, leaning position, taking care not to break limbs, damage the tree, knock off fruit, or interfere with other workers, ensuring a secure position to prevent slipping or falling. Worker will remove fruit from the tree by hand and place it into the picking sack. When the picking sack is full, the worker will transport the full sack to the designated fruit tub or bin. Blueberry Harvesting: By hand, the worker will walk down the berry field rows where the blueberries are to be harvested. The worker will place a 1-gallon picking bucket with a strap over their shoulder. The 1-gallon picking bucket is a rigid or canvas container equipped with a shoulder strap for support. Worker positions themselves in front of the berry bush and will carefully remove the ripe fruit from the bush by hand and place it into the bucket, taking care not to break limbs, damage the plant, or knock off unripe fruit. When the 1-gallon picking bucket is full, the worker will take it to the truck at the end of the row and unload the fruit into a small tub or shipping container. General Field Caretaking: Assisting with tree treatments, removal of grove debris, assisting with irrigation line maintenance and repair, and general grove maintenance. General Farm Maintenance and Other Activities: When primary planting or harvesting work is temporarily unavailable due to weather conditions, crop conditions, operational needs, or other lawful business reasons, workers may be assigned miscellaneous incidental duties directly related to the agricultural operation. These duties will not replace or substantially reduce the availability of primary agricultural work. Such duties may include general clean-up of the worksite, farm property, and agricultural structures; weeding, trimming, digging, cutting, topping, and removal of weeds, vines, debris, and trash from fields and fence lines; routine installation and removal of plastic mulch and irrigation drip tape; and basic irrigation maintenance and minor repair. Field sanitation activities may include cleaning, disinfecting, maintaining, and performing minor upkeep to harvest buckets, bins, trailers, hand tools, and similar agricultural equipment. Workers may also assist with the routine cleaning, washing, and minor non-mechanical upkeep of farm vehicles and equipment. Workers may be required to assist with the basic cleaning and routine upkeep of employer-provided housing and common-use facilities, limited to minor, basic tasks necessary to maintain safe, sanitary, and healthy living conditions.

View the official U.S. Department of Labor source

Last updated: October 8, 2026