Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Also called: Agriculture Laborer, Agriculture Worker, Apple Picker, Apple Thinner, Apple Turner

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estimated salary

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse manually plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling the soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.

Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
Set up and operate irrigation equipment.
Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
Clean work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.
Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.
Sow grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.
Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
Regulate greenhouse conditions, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems.
Cut, roll, and stack sod.
Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease.
Provide information and advice to the public regarding the selection, purchase, and care of products.
Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems.
Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs.
Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.
Repair farm buildings, fences, and other structures.
Maintain inventory, ordering materials as required.
Record information about plants and plant growth.
Dig, rake, and screen soil, filling cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting.
Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.
Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality.
Trap and destroy pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice, using pesticides.
Move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or tractors.
Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees, wrap their roots, and pack them into boxes to fill orders.
Load agricultural products into trucks, and drive trucks to market or storage facilities.
Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels.
Plant, spray, weed, fertilize, water, and prune plants, shrubs, and trees, using gardening tools.

Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities

Mark agricultural or forestry products for identification.
Harvest agricultural products.
Operate farming equipment.
Operate irrigation systems.
Maintain forestry, hunting, or agricultural equipment.
Harvest agricultural products.

Knowledge information for this career will be available soon.

Skills information for this career will be available soon.

Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Static Strength

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.