Farm Workers

Work description

Crops/Commodities: Nursery work: plants, trees, and shrubs. Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Plant, cultivate and harvest produce in a greenhouse operation. Lower and clip plants, remove shoots, prune, de-leaf, and harvest crops. Collect and process graft wood. Raise and lower vines. Use hand tools including, but not limited to: shovels, brooms, clippers, rakes, knives, hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Pick, cut, lift, or pull crops. Install drippers and hang hooks. Grade, sort, pack, tag, and weigh product. Stack and de-stack product and supplies. Take care to prevent damaging produce and plants. May use mechanized equipment including but not limited to: sprayers, high lifts, and other power tools/equipment. Operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, load and move materials and containerized plants. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. Assist with repairs and maintenance for greenhouse, farm buildings, fields, farm equipment, and farm vehicles. Propagate plants by cuttings, seeds, and grafting. Plant, interplant, and transplant by hand. Operate a mechanical transplanter. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Clean, stock, and maintain containers, materials, supplies, and grounds. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason. Job opportunity is Skill Level I. All primary duties are entry-level and require close supervision and/or a short demonstration of the task by a more experienced worker. Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break. TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies.