Farmworkers & Laborers, Crop, Nursery, Greenhouse

Work description

Workers will perform temporary agricultural labor associated with the production of panela (unrefined cane sugar). Duties may include: Harvesting and cutting sugarcane by hand using agricultural tools. Loading, unloading, and transporting harvested sugarcane from the fields to the processing area. Feeding sugarcane into mechanical cane mills and monitoring the extraction of cane juice. Collecting and transferring extracted cane juice to boiling and processing areas. Assisting with filtering, clarifying, and boiling cane juice according to established production procedures. Monitoring the cooking process and assisting with the preparation of concentrated cane syrup. Pouring and forming the concentrated syrup into molds to produce panela blocks or other specified forms. Removing, handling, cooling, stacking, and packaging finished panela products. Cleaning and sanitizing processing equipment, work areas, tools, and production facilities. Loading and unloading agricultural materials, supplies, and finished products. Performing general farm and agricultural labor as needed in connection with sugarcane cultivation and panela production. Following all safety, sanitation, and operational procedures and using required personal protective equipment. Physical Requirements: The position requires standing and walking for extended periods, bending, stooping, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Workers may be required to lift and carry agricultural materials and finished products weighing up to approximately 50 pounds. Work may be performed outdoors and in agricultural processing areas, including exposure to heat, humidity, dust, and varying weather conditions. Tools and Equipment: Workers may use machetes and other hand tools, cane mills, pumps, cooking and boiling equipment, molds, scales, packaging equipment, carts, wheelbarrows, and other agricultural and processing equipment. Work Environment: Work is performed in agricultural fields and in areas used for the processing and production of panela. Workers may be exposed to high temperatures, steam, machinery, agricultural materials, and other conditions normally associated with sugarcane harvesting and panela production. Experience and Training: Previous agricultural or panela-production experience is preferred but not required. The employer will provide necessary job-specific training and instruction regarding equipment operation, safety procedures, sanitation, and production methods.