Assistant Grower

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Oversee and facilitate the following functions with your supervisor:
  1. Irrigation:
     • Have knowledge how to use the area’s pump stations including pumps, sand filters, and fertilizer injectors.
     • Responsible for the proper use of irrigation controllers or manual valves in your area.
     • Execute the practice the of irrigation and fertilization in the assigned growing area.
     • Scouting is occurring on a daily basis to determine when to water and how much.
     • E.C. tests and Leachate Fractions are used in deciding when to irrigate/fertilize and are reported to your supervisor.
     • When fertilizing, ensure we are mixing properly, using the correct recipe, and applying during the right conditions.
     • If area has drip irrigation, that drip lines and stakes are consistently being upkept to ensure optimal growing conditions.
     • Ensure that filters inside of the shelters are being cleaned regularly to regulate a consistent pressure.   
  2. Potting:
     • Assist with ensuring liners are ready, correct location, and weed free for potters.
     • Potting area has been prepped, sanitized, and gravel added if needed.
     • Ensure crops with similar needs are being potted in the same location.
     • Assist in ensuring correct materials such as soil and containers are being used when potting. 
  3. Shade:
     • Inform supervisor when shade cloth needs to be used or removed from crops.
  4. Pruning:
     • Assist with ensuring correct prune heights and widths are being followed.
     • Assist with ensuring that prunes are at the correct time of the year in conjunction with the severity of the prune.
     • Ensure pruning tools are being sanitized when necessary.
  5. Spacing/Consolidation:
     • Ensure plants have the proper spacing for optimal growth and quality at time of potting as well as during the growing season.
     • Re-space plants as necessary.
     • Consolidate crops to ensure there is sufficient space to continue to pot new crops.
     • Consolidate crops to ensure they are matched up with similar crops with similar cultural needs.
  6. Covering/Uncovering:
     • Assist with winter covering processes, frost protection, movement of plants to minimal heat in the fall, and removal in the spring.
     • Assist with uncovering process including organizing poly, lath, supplies for the following season.
     • Winter Checks:
       • Ensure there is sufficient bait in the shelters over winter months and re-apply as needed.
       • Execute venting in shelters if needed for the crops.
       • Regularly check soil moisture inside of the shelters and irrigate plants if required.
  7. Plant Health:
     • Scout for disease, pests, weeds; notify supervisor of any issues.
     • Coordinate with Plant Health to ensure irrigation does not interfere with sprays.
  8. Inventory:
     • Communicate with supervisor of significant crop losses or quality issues.
     • Attach and maintain crop identification labels.
     • Participate in Physical Inventory of assigned area.
     • Complete and update loss reports and change of locations.
     • Ensure plants are not mixed and un-mix crops that are.
     • Assist with Best of Midwest suggestions.
     • Monitor crop conditions regularly to achieve due dates.
     • Know and achieve quality and sell-ability standards.
     • Assist distribution and supervisor to ensure pull locations are accurate for pullers and ensure quality product is being sent out.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• Complete goals created on your plan for employee development.
• Clearly communicate work plans with your supervisor daily.
• Complete paperwork in a timely manner:
• Change of Location/Loss Reports within 24 hours.
• Maintain applicable records:
• Seasonal timing of prunes.
• Recording E.C. tests and Leachate Fractions and giving them to your supervisor.

• Willingness and ability to work in outdoor conditions
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

• Associates degree in Horticulture – or relatable work experience.
• 2-3 years experience growing plants.

• Ability to perform repetitive, detail-oriented work with accuracy
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to safely lift/push/pull 50 lbs.
• Ability to work beyond 40 hours per week as needed.
• Available to work weekends and holidays as needed.