Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop

Work description

Workers will perform assigned duties as described in this clearance order, 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. Hand weeding: Workers will walk through the fields pooling the weeds around the plants using their hand or a hoe. General Field Caretaking: Assisting with tree treatments under supervisor direction, removal of grove debris, assisting with irrigation line maintenance and repair, and general grove maintenance. Blueberry Planting: While carrying a bag of blueberry plants, the worker will walk down rows, bend, and manually place one or two plants into each prepared hole in the plastic ground covering as instructed, firmly packing the dirt around the base of the plant. 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. Workers will be responsible for harvesting blueberries both in the field. In the field, workers will hand-pick ripe blueberries, ensuring proper handling to prevent damage, and place them in designated containers.