The Farm Utility Worker performs planting, growing, maintenance, handling and packing activities involving plant material. Under close supervision, workers perform routine manual tasks in producing and handling a variety of specialty, foliage, and tropical plants, including both container-grown and field-grown nursery stock. The role requires consistent attention to safety, quality, and productivity and a positive, team-oriented attitude. This position involves manual labor and repetitive physical activity performed outdoors and in greenhouse and shade-house environments.
Primary duties include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, performed in any combination and as directed by the supervisor or team leader:
• Weed, prune, or trim plants as instructed, using pruning shears, scissors, or mechanical trimming equipment.
• Work on potting or production lines using soil mixers, flat fillers, conveyors, and potting machines.
• Transplant, pot, and label seedlings, cuttings, plugs, liners, shrubs, and other plant material, including digging, cutting, or dividing plant material as directed.
• Pull, load, unload, transport, consolidate, spread, space, and arrange plants, plugs, liners, containers, and related materials in fields, greenhouses, production barns, loading areas, and other designated locations, as directed by work orders or supervisors.
• Accurately and quickly plant young plant material (plugs or liners) while working on a potting-line conveyor or in the field.
• Identify, select, and pull ready-to-sell containerized plants according to supervisor instructions and quality standards.
• Identify and report plant quality issues, including removing debris, dirt, or poor-quality plants or material before shipping.
• Assemble, disassemble, organize, repair, and secure trailers, racks, carts, and shipping trays used for plant loading, movement, storage, or shipment.
• Operate general farm equipment as may be required to move or maintain product or maintain the greenhouse or growing areas.
• Monitor soil moisture and environmental conditions and perform irrigation tasks according to supervisor instructions and established work plans.
• Assist with or perform the mixing, measuring, and application of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides for sprays or drenches, as directed, and only after completing required training and using required PPE.
• Perform basic upkeep and minor repairs to farm equipment, irrigation components, benches, ground cover, and growing structures, as directed.
• Complete assigned work orders and accurately record quantities, progress, and completion status.
• Perform general housekeeping duties such as sweeping, mopping, and picking up trash or debris around the farm. Repair or replace benches and/or growing structures.
• Open or close shade houses and greenhouses according to schedule.
• Install and/or remove winter plastic and ground cover.
• The employer may assign workers who possess all required licenses, medical certifications, and employer authorizations to operate employer vehicles to transport workers and may offer them additional work hours.
Employment period: Oct 12, 2026 – Jul 15, 2027
