Skip to main contentSkip to select language
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Field Workers: Strawberry Harvesting

Freshway Farms, LLC

Santa Maria, CA

$19.75 per hour

ACTIVE

Recruitment Information

Telephone Number to Apply:
+18053497175
Email address to Apply:
Haydee@mainsteetproduce.com

Job Description

Full Time:
Yes
Number of Workers Requested:
1200
Job Duties:
Field Workers: Strawberry Harvesting/Intensive Bed Cleaning/Strawberry Field Preparation to perform the following duties: Strawberry Harvesting: Workers will perform duties associated with and directly related to strawberry harvest work, including but not limited to picking and packing strawberries in the field for fresh market and freezing/juicing; Distinguish quality and ripeness; Pick and place strawberries in corresponding tray/packing containers in the field. Harvesting strawberry ground crews will not use a machine aid; working in rows, the worker bends over and picks strawberries with hands; selects strawberries to meet the standards of each pack and places the strawberries in a box; walks and carries the box with strawberries to the packing table located at the end of the row in the field. The worker returns to the row to continue ground harvest. Production Standard: All strawberry harvesters, both domestic and H2A, are expected to meet the production standard, which is estimated to be 7 boxes per worker per hour, (box size is 19" x 14 7/8" x 3 1/2). Production standard can vary due to fruit size, production of specific fields, production of specific ranches, weather conditions, etc. Piece rates are analyzed daily to set reasonable harvest efficiency expectations. Piece Rates are determined by upper management and can vary based on the following: fruit size, juice percentage, production of specific fields, production of specific ranches, weather conditions, etc... Intensive Bed Cleaning: Employees will use hand shears and sickle knives to perform the job of intensive bed cleaning that consists of a combination of removing dead leaves, old stems, organic matter, weeds, overripe fruit, and any other debris from the tops of beds. The work requires employees to be bent over for most of the day, individually assessing each plant as they move down the row in order to remove all unwanted debris or trash from the bed tops. Linear feet per hour are tracked and evaluated daily for each crew member. If short-handled tools are used, Employer abides by Californias rules applicable to weeding. Production Standard: Performing the job as described to meet the production standard set of maintaining within 25% of the highest producing crew member daily. Strawberry Field Preparation: Workers will install strawberry plastic bed mulch, drip tape, irrigation systems, and dirt roads during this contract. Machinery such as plastic mulch machine, drip tape injection machines, bed shapers, and listers will be used by the employees to prepare the fields on each ranch. Shovels will be used to cut plastic on strawberry beds where internal roads will be located. (No construction or cement is required) Workers will be asked to help move rolls of poly tubing as well as oval into the fields in order to install the irrigation systems on each ranch. Each job task may require workers to either be sitting for long periods of time or be standing for long periods of time.
Job Classification:
45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

The job/industry classification and description includes general information on the position from ONET/OES and the North American Industry Classification System. Please review Job Duties and Job Order for more information.

Job Requirements

Experience Required:
Yes
Months of Experience Required:
3
Special Requirements:
Minimum Job Requirements: One complete season (10 months) experience of strawberry harvesting / One complete season of Intensive Bed Cleaning (10 months)/One complete season for Field Preparation work (11 months), . Workers must stand, sit, crouch, bend, reach, lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds in the course of performing required activities. Must have use of both hands. Must be able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Must be able to work under conditions where skin and clothing become heavily soiled with mud, water, grease, etc. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including rain, cold, high winds, etc. Work involves frequent bending and working in bent or stooped positions. Must be able to walk and stand up extensively. No smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol or weapons of any sort in the housing or working fields.
Number of Hours Per Week:
35
Work Schedule (Start/End time):
6:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Employer Information

Trade Name/Doing Business As:
Freshway Farms, LLC
Company Name:
Freshway Farms, LLC
Location:
Santa Maria, CA 93458
Telephone Number:
+18053630540

Worksite

Address:
Ranch 1: 1865 W Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93458

Job Order Details

ETA Case Number:
H-300-24124-952823
Multiple Worksites:
No
Additional Wage Information:
See addendum C. Estimated hourly rate is $20/hour. The cartons per hour required to earn the average is approximately 9 cartons per hour. The minimum piece rate is $2.20 per carton. The carton's dimensions are 19" x 14 7/8" x 3 1/2".
Date Posted:
5/16/2024

Share