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 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.
Related:
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, & Wall
Laborers & Freight, Stock, & Material Movers, Hand
Meat, Poultry, & Fish Cutters & Trimmers
Roustabouts, Oil & Gas
Work Activities
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Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.
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Sow grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.
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Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
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Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
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Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
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Regulate greenhouse conditions, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems.
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Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
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Cut, roll, and stack sod.
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Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
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Set up and operate irrigation equipment.
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Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease.
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Provide information and advice to the public regarding the selection, purchase, and care of products.
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Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
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Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems.
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Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs.
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Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.
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Repair farm buildings, fences, and other structures.
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Maintain inventory, ordering materials as required.
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Record information about plants and plant growth.
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Dig, rake, and screen soil, filling cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting.
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Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.
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Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
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Trap and destroy pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice, using pesticides.
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Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality.
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Move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or tractors.
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Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees, wrap their roots, and pack them into boxes to fill orders.
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Load agricultural products into trucks, and drive trucks to market or storage facilities.
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Clean work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.
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Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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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.
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Static Strength
The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
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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.
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Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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Food Production
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Education No formal educational credential
- Work Experience No work experience
- Training Less than 1 month on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
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Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.They do well at jobs that need:
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Dependability
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Attention to Detail
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Cooperation
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Integrity
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Adaptability/Flexibility
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Stress Tolerance
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Utility knives
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Secateurs or pruning shears
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Saws
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Greenhouse ventilation equipment
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Broadcast spreaders
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Office suite software
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Mobile location based services software
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Internet browser software
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Electronic mail software
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Data base user interface and query software
