FARMWORKER OCCUPATIONS Number 225 Interest Area 3 1998
THE JOB
California leads the nation in agricultural production. California grows a wide variety of produce, with no single crop dominating the agricultural economy. Approximately 92 percent of all U.S. grapes are produced in California. California produces about 54 percent of this country's fresh market vegetable crops and about 58 percent of the major processing crops.
The occupations in this industry that make California an agricultural leader are too many to list. This guide covers a few of the occupations found on tree fruit, nut, citrus, vegetable, and field crop farms and cattle ranches, dairy farms, and poultry farms.
ORCHARD PRUNERS cut dead and excess branches from fruit, nut, and shade trees, using hand saws, pruning hooks and shears, and long-handled clippers, to alter or improve the shape of the tree, and more importantly, to stimulate new growth and replacement of older fruiting wood. The pruner's job varies with the demands of individual employers as some will ask for one type of pruning and others, another type, depending upon their methods and experience. Pruners need to know that each variety of deciduous tree must be pruned differently. Some fruit trees, such as apples and pears which have long-lived spurs, are pruned less severely than others such as peaches where most of the fruit is borne on last year's wood. Orchard Pruners must be able to recognize the diseases that attack orchard trees. Pear blight, for example, is a bacterial disease. If pruners accidentally cut into an infected limb, they must sterilize the shears or the saw.
FARM-MACHINE OPERATORS operate one or more types of farm machines, such as tractors, trucks, harvesters, and planters to cut hay, pick fruit, harvest wheat, and other activities. Farm-Machine Operators usually operate towed machines, such as a seed drill or a manure spreader to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops. They may also drive trucks to take materials or harvested crops to designated locations.
Farm-Machine Operators also maintain machinery by lubricating fittings with a grease gun, making simple repairs and adjustments in the field; and making sure that motor oil is at operating level and that there is enough fuel.
LIVESTOCK FARM-WORKERS tend live-stock, such as cattle, sheep, hogs, and goats on farms or ranches. They mix feed and additives, fill feed troughs, and water livestock. Some workers feed the cattle by herding them to pasture for grazing. An important part of their job is checking livestock regularly for signs of disease or infection. They may vaccinate livestock against diseases or spray them with insecticides to protect them against harmful parasites. When animals are injured, they apply medications to cuts and bruises. They prepare livestock for calving and assist veterinarians in the delivery of offspring. They round up cattle, place owners' symbols or brands on them, and castrate them when necessary. Livestock Farmworkers are responsible for cleaning livestock stalls and sheds using disinfectant solutions, brushes and shovels.
DAIRY FARMWORKERS perform a variety of tasks. On a modern dairy farm, workers care for the herd as well as keeping up structures and equipment. On small farms, workers mix additives in feed and ensure that there is fresh water in troughs. On larger farms, farmworkers tend machines and other automated equipment that mix feed batches. They herd animals into holding pens and attach automatic milking machines to the animals. Dairy Farmworkers have other duties, such as washing and spraying cows with water, insecticides and repellents. They clean barns and cow pens to prevent infestations. They clean and sterilize milk containers and equipment and tend automatic cleaning pumps that clean the milk pipelines.
POULTRY FARM LABORERS work on farms that raise poultry for eggs and meat. They spray poultry houses with disinfectants and vaccinate birds to prevent diseases, such as bronchitis, fowl pox, and coccidiosis. They inspect poultry for signs of diseases and remove weak, ill, or dead poultry from the flock. Poultry Farm Laborers trim and shear poultry beaks, toes, and wings using debeaking machines, heated hand shears, or hot wires. They clean poultry houses and cages by using a manure cleaning machine, and fill feeders and water containers. On egg farms, poultry workers also gather eggs, operate egg-washing, candling and grading machines, and pack eggs in cartons or cases and load delivery trucks. They also pack chicks into cartons for delivery. They may do general maintenance and repair farm machinery.
AGRICULTURE PRODUCE PACKERS fill various containers with fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, plant bulbs, and eggs for storage and/or shipment. They line boxes, barrels, baskets, cartons, crates, or other receptacles with treated paper, cardboard, styrofoam, or prepared padding to protect or preserve the produce. They place paper trays or separators in a container. Produce packers may envelop the produce in treated paper, foil, or plastic film wrap prior to its insertion into a container. A produce packer may also seal the container by means of nails, wires, or tapes. Packers may also be required to do some grading.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Some crop farming is seasonal, but during planting and harvesting seasons many farmworkers work 8 to 12 hours a day. On farms that raise animals for meat or dairy products, there is work throughout the year. Because animals must be fed and watered every day and cows milked twice daily, it can be hard to arrange days off or vacations. Farmwork can be very dangerous. Every year, many farmworkers are accidentally injured by planting or harvesting machinery. Accidental pesticide or herbicide poisoning is also a hazard
The physical demands range from moderate to heavy, and often include climbing, standing, and reaching. Some farmworkers must be able to lift over 50 pounds. Individuals operating mixers, loaders, and applicators are usually in the area when pesticides are being sprayed and must be careful to avoid dangerous pesticide exposure. They often work in wet slippery areas, and/or sometimes around unpredictable animals.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Jobs for farmworkers overall have been declining steadily over the past several years because of the continuing trend towards fewer farms. Also, the continuing development of newer and more complex farm machinery will continue to curtail the work that farmworkers now do, as well as reduce the number of job openings in the future.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
For farmworkers in general, wages earned usually range from minimum wage to $12.00 an hour and over. Some farmworkers, especially Dairy Farmworkers, also receive a living allowance or room and board. On average, the wages of Farm-Machine Operators and Produce Packers are found to be on the higher end of this wage scale than other farmworkers.
The hours of work vary a great deal. During planting and harvesting on crop farms, workers are often in the fields from sunup until late at night. On nearly all farms, workers usually receive one day off per week. Vacations are taken during slow seasons or between crops. Many employers provide for vacation, sick leave or medical or dental benefits.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Many farmworkers can learn their jobs quickly on the farm and require little or no outside training. Prior experience is desirable for those who operate farm machinery. Good physical condition is required since farmworkers must lift and carry bales of hay, or bushels of fruit or other produce.
ADVANCEMENT
Opportunities for advancement are limited. Some farmworkers may advance to crew leader or supervisory positions on farms or buy land and become farmers or ranchers.
FINDING THE JOB
In some counties, workers find their jobs by direct application at the farm, through local offices of the California Employment Development Department, or a labor contractor. A personal recommendation by a trusted employee can be very helpful.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Agricultural-Business Representatives are found in many Job Services Offices of the California Employment Development Department.
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed.,1991) Tree Pruner 408.684-018 Farm-Machine Operator 409.683-010 Farmworker, Livestock 410.664-010 Farmworker, Dairy 410.684-010 Laborer, Poultry Farm 411.687-018 Packer, Agricultural Produce 920.687-134
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Farm Equipment Operators 790210 Other Agricultural, Forestry, Fishing 799990 Hand Packers and Packagers 989020
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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