Nursery Worker - Bailey Nurseries

Position Title: Nursery Worker (General Labor)

Location: Minnesota ( Newport, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Hastings)

Season: January – November 2026

Compensation: $17.25 - $19.25 per hour based on experience and skill set 

Schedule: 40 hours per week, overtime after 40 hours worked per week. Regular hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM. Saturday work required during spring. 

Position Summary:

 The Nursery Worker (General Labor) is an important role at Bailey Nurseries, supporting nursery production and order fulfillment in both outdoor fields and environmentally controlled structures (greenhouses). This role performs hands-on plant care, harvesting, tagging/labeling, staging and packing customer orders, and operating equipment as assigned while meeting quality, safety, and productivity standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Perform nursery production and distribution work in fields and environmentally controlled structures (ECS/greenhouses).
• Plant, cultivate, maintain, and harvest nursery stock, including bare root stock activities (as assigned).
• Prepare containers/trays/flats and growing media/soil using equipment and machinery.
• Tag, label, stake, price, and apply marketing materials to finished product.
• Prune, trim, pinch, and remove dead/poor-quality plant material to meet quality standards.
• Install, cover/uncover, and maintain ground cloth, shade cloth, poly coverings, and hoop houses/structures.
• Operate, monitor, and adjust greenhouse/environmental controls (heat, ventilation, fans, doors/vents, thermostats) as directed.
• Water and fertilize plants using hoses, irrigation booms, pumps, and crop-specific schedules.
• Pull, stage, and prepare customer orders by selecting quality plants, sleeving/wrapping, counting, and organizing for boxing/shipping.
• Perform quality control checks, grading, accurate counts, and inspections for pests/disease.
• Apply pesticides/herbicides as assigned (spraying/drenching/dipping) and follow all safety and re-entry requirements.
• Record planting, inventory, and order/shipping information using spreadsheets/computers/handheld devices; process shipping paperwork.
• Operate nursery equipment/machinery as assigned (e.g., forklift, tractors, skid steer, front-end loader, carts/ATVs, and farm implements).
• Perform minor adjustments, basic maintenance/repairs on equipment, irrigation parts, and work tools; support warehouse/bin assembly as assigned.
• Assist supervisors in directing tasks and instructing workers on planting, cultivation, harvesting, grading, labeling, packing, and loading.
• May serve as lead worker for small crews when assigned.
• May transport workers for nursery activities only if properly licensed and with an acceptable driving record.

 Basic Job Requirements: 

• Minimum 2 months of successful experience in a wholesale nursery or similar position.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to follow instructions and comply with safety requirements.
• Willingness and availability to work extended hours, including weekends during peak season
• Must pass a criminal background check and/or U.S. Department of State visa security clearance (if applicable).

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 

This position requires the ability to lift and carry up to 60 lbs., stand and walk for extended periods, and bend, squat, and kneel. Work takes place in both indoor and outdoor settings, including production and warehouse areas, and may involve exposure to extreme temperatures and normal field conditions. Employees may be exposed to pollen, ragweed, goldenrod, insects, and harmful plants. Employees may work around plants/fields treated with pesticides or chemical sprays.

Corresponding Employment (H-2A): 

This position is considered corresponding employment under the H-2A program and is covered by the employer assurances in the applicable H-2A job order (ETA-790), as required by law. Key assurances may include:

• Three-fourths (3/4) guarantee of the workdays/hours offered during the contract period, beginning on the start date.
• Free housing for workers whose residence is beyond normal commuting distance, and required transportation and/or daily subsistence as applicable under federal H-2A rules and at federally established rates.
• The employer will provide all wages, benefits, and protections required for corresponding employment under the H-2A program, as applicable.

Detailed description of the job orders and seasons available at the following link(s): 

Bailey Nurseries is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. 

Employment with Bailey Nurseries is at-will and may be terminated at any time by either party, in accordance with applicable law. 

If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our HR team.