Farm/irrigation Worker

Worker will be required to perform a variety of duties related to the production of alfalfa hay, barley, beans, corn, oats, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, a variety of vegetables, fruit, melons, berries, herbs, flowers, and trees. The majority of the work activities during the overall contract period, however, will be related to general farm work/irrigation/crop production. General Farm Work will include the following responsibilities: maintain, drive, attach and operate farm implements/tractors/equipment to till soil, plant, cultivate, fertilize and harvest crops; make minor mechanical adjustments and repairs on farm machinery; may mix and/or spray chemicals (according to appropriate restrictive use laws, when/if applicable); remove undesirable and excess growth from crops or farm grounds; remove rocks from field; paint/repair/maintain farm structures; maintain/repair fencing; perform general cleanup of farm areas; drive, load/unload farm trucks; husk/shell/de-tassel corn; operate motor bike or all-terrain vehicle in the course of performing duties; workers possessing the proper licensure may be asked to transport other farm workers. Irrigation duties will include the following: Hand lines: connect pipes; check alignment of pipe and adjust for proper water distribution; attach lines to water supply; turn on pump; turn valves to start flow of water; disassemble lines and carry pipes across fields at specified intervals; move pipes through freshly irrigated crops and/or plowed fields where mud may be deep at times; lift and carry pipe sections weighing approximately 40 pounds on a sustained basis. Wheel lines: start gasoline engines and operate controls to move lines across fields at specified intervals. Pivots: push on switch that activates circle sprinkler system; operate, maintain and repair system. Flood Irrigation: lift gate in side of flooded irrigation ditch/pipe permitting water to flow into bordered section of field; shovel and pack dirt in low spots of embankment or cut trenches in high areas to direct water flow; close gate in ditch/pipe when bordered section is flooded; open gate or connect pipe to underground pipe system that releases water flow into reservoir or ditch; siphon water from flooded reservoir or ditch to channel water into designated areas; shovel or hoe soil to clear ditches/furrows and build embankments to appropriately channel water; mix and apply proper solutions to fill holes/cracks in pipes, ditches, and spillways, and make minor repairs to metal, concrete, and wooden frameworks in pipe and ditch valves and gates. Drip Irrigation: move and lay drip irrigation equipment in fields; maintain and repair drip irrigation; flush drip irrigation lines; remove drip irrigation and lay flat from fields prior to harvest; walk behind tractor to ensure lay flat spools correctly when removing from field. Other Irrigation Duties: remove pipes/wheel lines from storage and lay out/place in predetermined patterns in fields; lubricate, adjust, repair and replace parts such as sprinkler heads and drive chains using hand tools; observe revolving sprinklers and adjust to ensure proper operation and uniform distribution of water; disassemble, service and store pipes/mainlines/wheel lines after irrigation season.