About the position
Farm workers are needed to cultivate, sort, and pack potatoes in Montcalm County, MI. The job involves various tasks such as weeding potato fields during the harvest, which can be done either by hand or with a hoe. Workers will also be responsible for removing damaged potatoes, mowing, cutting grass, weeding fields, maintaining farm buildings, and repairing fences. A significant part of the job includes sorting potatoes while standing beside a moving conveyor belt, where workers will manually remove damaged potatoes and foreign materials from the good potatoes. Additionally, workers will be tasked with cleaning and sanitizing bins and assisting in loading trucks with the product. The role requires the operation of mechanized and power equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, tractors, planters, sprayers, cultivators, field/mobile forklifts, power shears, chain saws, skid loaders, and other machinery. The work schedule is generally 48 hours per week, from Monday through Saturday, with additional hours available but not mandatory. Workers will be compensated at a minimum rate of $18.50 per hour. Candidates must be able to lift up to 60 pounds and are required to have three months of verifiable experience in a similar role. Applicants must provide job references from recent employers to establish acceptable prior experience. The employer will conduct drug testing at their expense, but this will not be used as a pre-employment tool. Housing is provided at no cost for workers who cannot reasonably return home the same day. Separate sleeping rooms and bathroom facilities are designated for male and female workers, but family housing is not available. Workers hired from beyond normal commuting distance will be reimbursed for inbound transportation costs, and upon completion of the work contract, outbound transportation costs will also be covered. Transportation between the daily work site and employer-provided housing is offered at no cost to workers entitled to housing benefits.
Responsibilities
- Cultivate, sort, and pack potatoes.
- Weed potato fields during harvest by hand or with a hoe.
- Remove damaged potatoes from the harvest.
- Mow and cut grass in the fields.
- Maintain farm buildings and fields, including repairs to fences.
- Sort potatoes beside a moving conveyor belt, removing damaged potatoes and foreign materials by hand.
- Clean and sanitize bins used for storage.
- Assist in loading trucks with the product.
- Operate mechanized and power equipment such as tractors, planters, sprayers, cultivators, forklifts, power shears, chain saws, and skid loaders.
Requirements
- Must have three months of verifiable experience in agricultural work.
- Ability to lift up to 60 pounds.
- Must provide job references from recent employers.
Benefits
- Housing provided at no cost for workers unable to return home the same day.
- Reimbursement for inbound transportation costs for workers hired from beyond normal commuting distance.
- Outbound transportation costs covered upon completion of the work contract.
- Transportation between daily work site and employer-provided housing at no cost.
