Who Are Farm Workers?
Farm workers maintain crops and tend to livestock. They perform physical labor and operate machinery under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.
Duties of Agricultural Workers
Agricultural workers typically do the following:
- Harvest and inspect crops by hand
- Irrigate farm soil and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps
- Operate and service farm machinery and tools
- Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungi, and weeds
- Move shrubs, plants, and trees with wheelbarrows or tractors
- Feed livestock and clean and disinfect their pens, cages, yards, and hutches
- Examine animals to detect symptoms of illnesses or injuries and administer vaccines to protect animals from diseases
- Use brands, tags, or tattoos to mark livestock in order to identify ownership and grade
- Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures
The following are examples of types of agricultural/farm workers:
Agricultural equipment operators use a variety of farm equipment to plow and sow seeds, as well as maintain and harvest crops. They may use tractors, fertilizer spreaders, balers, combines, threshers, and trucks. These workers also operate machines such as conveyor belts, loading machines, separators, cleaners, and dryers. Workers may make adjustments and minor repairs to equipment.
Animal breeders use their knowledge of genetics and animal science to select and breed animals that will produce offspring with desired traits and characteristics. For example, they breed chickens that lay more eggs, pigs that produce leaner meat, and sheep with more desirable wool. Others breed and raise cats, dogs, and other household pets.
To know which animals to breed and when to breed them, animal breeders keep detailed records. Breeders note animals’ health, size, and weight, as well as the amount and quality of the product they produce. Animal breeders also track the traits of animals’ offspring.
Some animal breeders may consult with farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers about their livestock.
Crop, nursery, and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers perform numerous tasks related to growing and harvesting grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other crops. They plant, seed, prune, irrigate, and harvest crops, and pack and load them for shipment.
Farmworkers also apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to crops. They repair fences and some farm equipment.
Nursery and greenhouse workers prepare land or greenhouse beds for growing horticultural products such as trees, plants, flowers, and sod. They also plant, water, prune, weed, and spray the plants. They may cut, roll, and stack sod; stake trees; tie, wrap, and pack plants to fill orders; and dig up or move field-grown shrubs and trees.
Farm and ranch animal farmworkers care for live animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, poultry, finfish, shellfish, and bees. These animals usually are raised to supply meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, or honey.
These farmworkers may feed, herd, brand, weigh, and load animals. They also keep records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides.
Many workers clean and maintain animal housing areas every day. On dairy farms, animal farm workers operate milking machines.
Agricultural Worker Salaries
The median annual wage for agricultural workers is $29,680. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $78,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $89,630.
Median annual wages for agricultural workers are as follows:
Animal breeders | $85,090 |
Agricultural equipment operators | $78,360 |
Agricultural workers, all other | $82,550 |
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse | $81,630 |
Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals | $89,630 |
Below Are Some Available Farm Work Opportunities That with Visa Sponsorship That You Apply For.
1. General Farm Worker @Mahil Holdings Ltd.
Full Job Description
Work site environment
- Outdoors
- In/on water
- Wet/damp
- Dusty
Tasks
- Plant, cultivate and irrigate crops
- Fertilize and spray crops
- Harvest crops
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
- Examine produce for quality and prepare for market
Work conditions and physical capabilities
- Work under pressure
- Repetitive tasks
- Physically demanding
- Attention to detail
- Combination of sitting, standing, walking
- Walking
- Bending, crouching, kneeling
Personal suitability
- Efficient interpersonal skills
- Flexibility
- Team player
2. Vegetable Farm Worker @Ontario Pickle Corporation
Full Job Description
Work site environment
- Outdoors
- Wet/damp
- Dusty
- Hot
- Cold/refrigerated
Work setting
- Rural area
- Various locations
Tasks
- Hand harvesting vegetables
- Hoeing crops
- Plant, cultivate and irrigate crops
- Vegetable culling
- Harvest crops
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
Equipment and machinery experience
- Farm truck
- Tractor
Work conditions and physical capabilities
- Fast-paced environment
- Tight deadlines
- Repetitive tasks
- Handling heavy loads
- Physically demanding
- Attention to detail
- Hand-eye co-ordination
- Ability to distinguish between colours
- Combination of sitting, standing, walking
- Standing for extended periods
- Walking
- Bending, crouching, kneeling
Personal suitability
- Team player
3. Farm Workers Supervisor @Manderley Turf Products Inc.
Full Job Description
Work site environment
- Other miscellaneous crop farming
- Dusty
- Hot
- Noisy
- Outdoors
Work setting
- Rural area
- Remote location
- Staff accommodation available
Tasks
- Stone and/or wood picking
- Co-ordinate and supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers
- Ensure farm safety and bio-security procedures are followed
- Maintain quality control and production records
- Supervise and oversee growing and other crop-related operations
- Maintain work records and logs
- Hire and train staff
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
- Perform general farm duties
Supervision
- 11-15 people
- 5-10 people
Equipment and machinery experience
- Turf grass harvester
- Automated irrigation system
- Harvesters
- Seed drill
- Tractor
Area of specialization
- Agricultural crop service
Transportation/travel information
- Valid driver’s licence
- Drive manual transmission vehicle
Work conditions and physical capabilities
- Fast-paced environment
- Work under pressure
- Tight deadlines
- Physically demanding
- Attention to detail
- Combination of sitting, standing, walking
Personal suitability
- Team player
Screening questions
- Are you available for the advertised start date?
- Are you currently legally able to work in Canada?
Financial benefits
- Piece work
Long term benefits
- Group insurance benefits
4. Farm Workers Supervisor @Manderley Turf Products Inc.
Full Job Description
Work site environment
- Other miscellaneous crop farming
- Dusty
- Hot
- Noisy
- Outdoors
Work setting
- Rural area
- Remote location
- Staff accommodation available
Tasks
- Stone and/or wood picking
- Co-ordinate and supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers
- Ensure farm safety and bio-security procedures are followed
- Maintain quality control and production records
- Supervise and oversee growing and other crop-related operations
- Maintain work records and logs
- Hire and train staff
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
- Perform general farm duties
Supervision
- 11-15 people
- 5-10 people
Equipment and machinery experience
- Turf grass harvester
- Automated irrigation system
- Harvesters
- Seed drill
- Tractor
Area of specialization
- Agricultural crop service
Transportation/travel information
- Valid driver’s licence
- Drive manual transmission vehicle
Work conditions and physical capabilities
- Fast-paced environment
- Work under pressure
- Tight deadlines
- Physically demanding
- Attention to detail
- Combination of sitting, standing, walking
Personal suitability
- Team player
Screening questions
- Are you available for the advertised start date?
- Are you currently legally able to work in Canada?
Financial benefits
- Piece work
Long term benefits
- Group insurance benefits