Description:
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; cleaning, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
Tasks
- Set up and operate irrigation equipment.
- Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.
- Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.
- Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.
- Apply pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers to crops.
- Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.
- Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.
- Clear and maintain irrigation ditches.
- Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
- Food Production
- Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
- Transportation
- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- Administration and Management
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Clerical
- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- Public Safety and Security
- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Production and Processing
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Customer and Personal Service
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills
- Equipment Maintenance
- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Operation Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Abilities
- Control Precision
- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Multilimb Coordination
- The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Speech Recognition
- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Manual Dexterity
- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Rate Control
- The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
- Problem Sensitivity
- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Information Ordering
- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Speech Clarity
- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Reaction Time
- The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
- Training and Teaching Others
- Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing and Building Teams
- Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Work Context
- Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
- How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
- Exposed to Contaminants
- How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
- Face-to-Face Discussions
- How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
- Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
- How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
- Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
- How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
- In an Open Vehicle or Equipment
- How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)?
- Work With Work Group or Team
- How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
- Coordinate or Lead Others
- How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Interests
- Realistic
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Investigative
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Artistic
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Social
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Enterprising
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Style
- Cooperation
- Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Dependability
- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Stress Tolerance
- Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Attention to Detail
- Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Self Control
- Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Integrity
- Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Initiative
- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Persistence
- Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Social Orientation
- Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Work Value
- Relationships
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Support
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Working Conditions
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Achievement
- Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Recognition
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Related Occupations
- Farmers and Ranchers
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Aquacultural Workers
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Agricultural Equipment Operators
- Farmworkers, Farm and Ranch Animals
- Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
Common Lay Titles
- Agriculture Worker
- Apple Picker
- Apple Thinner
- Apple Turner
- Asparagus Cutter
- Bale Sewer
- Bean Picker
- Beet Topper
- Beet Worker
- Berry Picker
- Berry Planter
- Binder Operator
- Bog Worker
- Brush Cutter
- Bulb Farmworker
- Cane Burner
- Cane Cutter
- Cane Flume Watcher
- Cane Flume Watchman
- Cane Loader
- Cane Packer
- Cane Pusher
- Cane Stripper
- Carrot Buncher
- Carrot Harvester
- Carrot Tier
- Celery Cutter
- Celery Packer
- Celery Stripper
- Celery Tier
- Celery Wrapper
- Citrus Fruit Packer
- Citrus Picker
- Corn Detasseler
- Corn Husker
- Corn Picker
- Corn Sheller
- Corn Shredder
- Corn Shucker
- Cotton Picker
- Cotton Puller
- Cotton Stomper
- Crop Duster Helper
- Crop Farm Helper
- Crop or Grain Farmer
- Crop or Grain Farmworker
- Crop Picker
- Crop Ranch Hand
- Culler
- Custom Grinder
- Detasseler
- Digger
- Ditch Cleaner
- Ditch Digger
- Ditch Rider
- Ditch Tender
- Ditcher
- Diversified Crops Farmworker
- Dryland Farmer
- Eradicator
- Farm Hand
- Farm Laborer
- Farm Rancher
- Farm Worker
- Field Broomer
- Field Cane Scaler Helper
- Field Crop Farmworker
- Field Crop Harvest Worker
- Field Hand
- Field Handyman
- Field Hauler
- Field Irrigation Worker
- Field Worker
- Fig Caprifier
- Firebreak Cutter
- Flagger
- Flagman
- Food Crops Farm Hand
- Fruit Cutter
- Fruit Farmworker
- Fruit Harvest Worker
- Fruit Harvester
- Fruit Loader
- Fruit or Nut Farmer
- Fruit or Nut Farmworker
- Fruit Packer
- Fruit Picker
- Fruit Thinner
- Fruit Worker
- Ginner
- Grain Farmworker
- Grape Cutter
- Grape Picker
- Gravity Flow Irrigator
- Grove Worker
- Grubber
- Gun Fertilizer
- Hammer Mill Operator
- Harvester
- Haul Cane Brakeman
- Hay Buckler
- Hay Stacker
- Hired Hand
- Hoe Worker
- Hoer
- Hop Picker
- Hop Trainer
- Hop Worker
- Horticultural Farmworker
- Hydro Sprayer Operator
- Irrigation Equipment Remover
- Irrigation Flume Layer
- Irrigation Laborer
- Irrigation System Operator
- Irrigator
- Land Clearer
- Lemon Picker
- Lettuce Cutter
- Loader
- Machinist
- Migratory Farm Hand
- Migratory Worker
- Mushroom Cultivator
- Mushroom Cutter
- Mushroom Growth Media Mixer
- Mushroom Picker
- Nut Packer
- Nut Picker
- Nut Sheller
- Olive Knocker
- Olive Picker
- Onion Tier
- Onion Topper
- Orange Picker
- Orchard Hand
- Orchard Worker
- Overhead Irrigator
- Pear Picker
- Pecan Gatherer
- Pecan Picker
- Pepper Picker
- Picker
- Plant Puller
- Pole Setter
- Portable Irrigation Operator
- Portable Track Line Marker
- Portable Trackman
- Potato Loader
- Potato Seed Cutter
- Produce Laborer
- Produce Wrapper
- Rice Field Worker
- Roguer
- Seed Cutter
- Seed Potato Arranger
- Shallot Cleaner
- Shallot Packer
- Shed Hand
- Smudger
- Sprinkler Worker
- Sprinkling System Irrigator
- Sugar Cane Planter
- Tassel Clipper
- Tassel Snipper
- Tile Ditcher
- Tobacco Cutter
- Tobacco Prizer
- Tobacco Stemmer
- Tobacco Stripper
- Tractor Driver
- Tractor Operator
- Tree Tapping Laborer
- Valve Pipe Irrigator
- Vegetable Buncher
- Vegetable Farmworker
- Vegetable Grower
- Vegetable Harvest Worker
- Vegetable Loader
- Vegetable Packer
- Vegetable Thinner
- Vegetable Tier
- Vegetable Trimmer
- Vineyard Tender
- Weed Burner
- Weeder
- Weeder-Thinner
- Yam Curer
- Zanjero