Job Description

Full Time:

Yes

Number of Workers Requested:

50

Job Duties:

Workers will perform manual agricultural tasks related to the planting, cultivation, and harvesting of sugarcane on approximately 100 acres of company-managed fields. Duties: Workers will perform a wide range of agricultural tasks, including planting, cultivation, harvesting, loading, and post-harvest field maintenance. Job duties include preparing fields by removing debris, manually digging planting rows, and applying fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides under supervision. Workers will plant sugarcane stalks entirely by hand, place them in furrows, and cover them using hand tools. Workers will monitor crop development and manually irrigate fields using drip lines, hoses, and water pumps. All sugarcane cutting will be performed manually by workers using machetes and cane knives. No mechanical harvesters or planters will be used. Workers will cut mature stalks at the base, bundle, lift, and stack cane entirely by hand. Mechanical cane loaders or utility trailers may be used only to transport the manually harvested cane from the field, not for planting or cutting. After harvest, workers will assist in clearing field debris to prepare for ratoon crops or replanting. Additional duties include repairing irrigation lines, ditches, and field roads, greasing and maintaining non-harvest tools, and performing general sanitation tasks in and around the fields. Workers may also assist with seasonal ditching, crop burning, removal of cane piles, levee repairs, and securing cane loads for transport. The 47 workers will be organized into multiple crews performing overlapping tasks throughout the season. The nature of the work is physically demanding and time-sensitive, requiring a large workforce to complete all operations efficiently within the harvest window. All work must be performed in compliance with applicable hygiene, safety, and environmental standards. Tools used include machetes, cane knives, hoes, shovels, water pumps, grease guns, and wrenches. No tractors or mechanical implements will be used for planting or harvesting. All tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided at no cost to workers. Workers are expected to work approximately 7 hours per day, Monday through Saturday, from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break and two unpaid 15-minute rest breaks. The employer guarantees employment for a minimum of 40 hours per week, and no less than three-fourths of the total number of hours promised in the work contract period, in accordance with 20 CFR §655.122(i). Work schedules may vary depending on weather, crop conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances. Based on the labor-intensive nature of sugarcane farming, particularly manual cutting, and bundling, we estimate that each acre requires approximately 112.5 labor hours throughout the season. For 100 acres, this results in an estimated 11,250 labor-hours. Balkcom Farms employs three (3) permanent full-time U.S. agricultural workers who will contribute approximately 2,880 labor-hours over the season. This reduces the remaining seasonal labor need to approximately 8,370 labor-hours. With 47 workers guaranteed a minimum of 45 hours per week over a 20-week period, we require 47 seasonal workers to meet the projected 42,300 labor-hours necessary to complete planting, cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvest operations. This workforce is essential to ensure all tasks are completed on schedule and to avoid yield loss, crop spoilage, and disruption to downstream supply chains.

Job Classification:

45-2092.00 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

No

Special Requirements:

No prior experience is required. However, applicants must be physically capable of performing strenuous manual labor related to sugarcane production from the start of employment. This includes planting, cultivating, manually cutting, and bundling sugarcane using hand tools such as machetes or cane knives, and performing post-harvest cleanup. Work is performed outdoors in fields under varying weather conditions, including high heat and humidity. The job requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs for extended periods. Applicants must be able to follow instructions, work cooperatively with others, and perform repetitive tasks efficiently. No formal training will be provided. All hires will be required to complete Form I-9 and present documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and available for the full employment period.

Number of Hours Per Week:

40

Work Schedule (Start/End time):

6:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.

Employer Information

Company Name:

Balkcom Farms

Location:

Erath, LA 70533

Worksite

Address:

18228 St Agnes Rd, Erath, LA 70533

Job Order Details

ETA Case Number:

H-300-25188-155633

Multiple Worksites:

No

Date Posted:

7/18/2025

Piece Rate Offer

$0.00

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