Job Description:

• 1) Drives and operates farm machinery to plant, cultivate, spray, and harvest fruit and nut crops, such as apples, oranges, strawberries, and pecans: Attaches farm implements, such as plow, planter, fertilizer applicator, and harvester to tractor and drives tractor in fields to prepare soil and plant, fertilize, and harvest crops.

• 2) Mixes chemical ingredients and sprays trees, vines, and grounds with solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases.

• 3) Removes excess growth from trees and vines to improve fruit quality, using pruning saws and clippers.

• 4) Irrigates soil, using portable-pipe or ditch system.

• 5) Picks fruit during harvest.

• 6) Drives truck or tractor to transport materials, supplies, workers, and products.

• 7) Makes adjustments and minor repairs to farm machinery.

• 8) May thin blossoms, runners, and immature fruit to obtain better-quality fruit.

• 9) May select, cut, and graft stock-wood onto tree stem or trunk to propagate fruit and nut trees.

• 10) May spray trees in spring to loosen and remove surplus fruit, and in fall to prevent early dropping and discoloration of fruit.

• 11) May prop limbs to prevent them from breaking under weight of fruit.

• 12) May start fans that circulate air or light smudge pots or torches to prevent frost damage.

• 13) May be identified with work being performed, such as picking, plowing, and spraying; or according to crop worked such as cherries, cranberries, lemons, or walnuts.