403 FRUIT AND NUT FARMING OCCUPATIONS

403 Fruit & Nut Farming

This group includes occupations concerned with growing and harvesting fruit and nut crops. Occupations concerned with propagating and growing plants and tree stock for fruit and nut farms are classified in Group 405.

403.131-010 SUPERVISOR, TREE-FRUIT-AND-NUT FARMING (agric.) supervisor, grove; supervisor, orchard.

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in cultivating, pruning, spraying, thinning, propping, and harvesting tree crops, such as apples, lemons, oranges, peaches, and pecans: Assigns trees, rows, or blocks of trees to workers. Directs workers in spacing, thinning, irrigating, fertilizing, spraying, and pruning trees and in harvesting fruit. Issues ladders, pruning tools, and picking bags or buckets to workers. Inspects harvested fruit for bruises, maturity, and improper harvesting defects. Performs other duties as described under SUPERVISOR (any ind.). May dig up soil samples from various locations in grove to send to laboratory for analysis, using auger or shovel. May examine trees for blight and insect infestation and record degree of damage and location of affected trees. May requisition and purchase farm supplies, such as insecticides and machinery lubricants. May hire and discharge workers. May prepare daily tally sheets of worker hours and production.

403.131-014 SUPERVISOR, VINE-FRUIT FARMING (agric.)

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in planting, cultivating, and harvesting berry crops, such as cranberries and grapes: Confers with manager to evaluate weather and soil conditions and to develop plans and procedures. Hires workers and explains and demonstrates field work-techniques and safety-regulations to inexperienced workers. Assigns duties, such as tilling soil, planting, cultivating, and spraying vines, and gathering berries, to farm workers and oversees work activities. Attaches farm implement, such as disc, planter, and fertilizer, and herbicide spreader, to tractor, and drives tractor in fields to plant and cultivate vines. Performs other duties as described under SUPERVISOR (any ind.). May adjust and repair farm machinery. May irrigate fields. May cut plant runners and uprights to thin vines and stimulate growth, using pruning tools. May be identified according to location, such as CRANBERRY-FARM SUPERVISOR (agric.); VINEYARD SUPERVISOR (agric.).

403.161-010 FARMER, TREE-FRUIT-AND-NUT CROPS (agric.) orchardist.

Plants and cultivates trees, such as apple, orange, and walnut, and harvests fruit and nut crops, applying knowledge of horticulture and market conditions: Determines varieties and quantities of trees to be grown, acreage to be tilled, and employees to be hired. Selects and purchases tree stock and farm machines, implements, and supplies. Decides when and how to plant, bud, graft, cultivate, irrigate, and prune trees and harvest crop, based on knowledge of tree-crop culture. Attaches farm implements, such as plow, disc, and harrow, to tractor and drives tractor in fields to till soil. Plants root stock, applies fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides, and irrigates fields. Prunes growing trees to develop desired size and shape. Assigns duties to farm hands and explains orchard work techniques and safety regulations to inexperienced workers. Maintains employee and financial records. Arranges with buyers for sale of crops. Lubricates, adjusts, and makes minor repairs on farm machinery, implements, and equipment, using oil can, grease gun, and hand tools. May bud and graft stock. May plant ground crops to shade ground, conserve moisture, and improve soil. May be designated according to crop grown as APPLE GROWER (agric.); CHERRY GROWER (agric.); NUT ORCHARDIST (agric.); ORANGE GROWER (agric.). Additional titles: PEACH GROWER (agric.); PECAN GROWER (agric.); TUNG-NUT GROWER (agric.); WALNUT GROWER (agric.).

403.161-014 FARMER, VINE-FRUIT CROPS (agric.) berry grower.

Plants and cultivates fruit bushes and vines and harvests crops, such as grapes, cranberries, and strawberries, applying knowledge of growth characteristics of specific varieties and soil, climate, and market conditions: Determines varieties and quantities of plants to be grown, acreage to be tilled, and employees to be hired. Selects and purchases plant stock and farm machines, implements, and supplies. Decides when and how to plant, bud, graft, prune, sucker, cultivate and irrigate plants, and harvest crop, based on knowledge of vine-crop culture. Attaches farm implements, such as harrow and ditcher, to tractor and drives tractor in fields to till soil. Drives and operates farm machinery to spray fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides and haul fruit boxes. Hires, assigns duties to, and oversees activities of seasonal workers engaged in tilling and irrigating soil; pruning plants; and harvesting and marketing crops. Demonstrates and explains farm work techniques and safety regulations. Maintains employee and financial records. makes arrangements with buyers for sale and shipment of crop. May make arrangements with AIRPLANE PILOT (agric.) to spray and dust fertilizers and pesticides on planted acreage. May install irrigation system(s) and irrigate fields. May set poles, string wires on poles to form trellises, and tie vines and canes to trellis wires. May prune vines and canes to size and shape growth. May lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs on farm machinery, implements, and equipment, using oil can, grease gun, and hand tools, such as hammer and wrench. May be designated according to crop grown, as BLUEBERRY GROWER (agric.); CRANBERRY GROWER (agric.); GRAPE GROWER (agric.); RASPBERRY GROWER (agric.); STRAWBERRY GROWER (agric.).

403.683-010 FARM WORKER, FRUIT (agric.)I

Drives and operates farm machinery to plant, cultivate, spray, and harvest fruit and nut crops, such as apples, oranges, strawberries, and pecans: Attaches farm implements, such as plow, planter, fertilizer applicator, and harvester to tractor and drives tractor in fields to prepare soil and plant, fertilize, and harvest crops. Mixes chemical ingredients and sprays trees, vines, and grounds with solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases. Removes excess growth from trees and vines to improve fruit quality, using pruning saws and clippers. Irrigates soil, using portable-pipe or ditch system. Picks fruit during harvest. Drives truck or tractor to transport materials, supplies, workers, and products. Makes adjustments and minor repairs to farm machinery. May thin blossoms, runners, and immature fruit to obtain better-quality fruit. May select, cut, and graft stock-wood (scion) onto tree stem or trunk to propagate fruit and nut trees. May spray trees in spring to loosen and remove surplus fruit, and in fall to prevent early dropping and discoloration of fruit. May prop limbs to prevent them from breaking under weight of fruit. May start fans that circulate air or light smudge pots or torches to prevent frost damage. May be identified with work being performed, such as picking, plowing and spraying; or according to crop worked such as cherries, cranberries, lemons, or walnuts.

403.687-010 FARM WORKER, FRUIT (agric.)II

Performs any combination of following tasks involved in planting, cultivating, and harvesting fruits and nuts, such as cranberries, apples, and pecans, according to instructions from supervisor or farmer: Tills soil, plants stock, prunes trees and bushes, and removes suckers and runners from vines and plants, using tools such as shovels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, and shears. Sprays plants with prescribed herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides to control diseases and insects. Removes blossoms and thins fruit to improve fruit quality. Harvests fruit [HARVEST WORKER, FRUIT (agric.)]. May light smudge pots and torches or start wind machines that heat and circulate air about crop during cold weather to minimize frost damage. May lay out irrigation pipes, install sprinklers, and open and adjust water valves and gates to irrigate assigned fields. May repair wire fences and farm buildings, using hand tools, such as hammers and saws. May load and unload trucks. May guide harvester discharge spout over wooden bins to load fruit on trailer. May bag or box harvested fruit. May lay harvested fruit on trays in sun to sun-dry fruit. May clean, lubricate, and adjust farm machinery, such as weeders and harvesters, using tools, such as wrenches and grease guns. May clear and burn roots and brush, and gather ladders and containers to clean fields. May be identified with tasks being performed, such as thinning, smudging, and picking. May be designated according to crop grown, as FARM WORKER, BERRY (agric.); FARM WORKER, CRANBERRY (agric.); or according to work location, as LABORER, ORCHARD (agric.); and LABORER, VINEYARD (agric.).

403.687-014 FIG CAPRIFIER (agric.)

Facilitates pollination of fig trees: Selects and picks mature figs which contain wasps or other small insects and places figs in hamper. Transfers figs from hampers to containers attached to infertile trees where wasps and other insects grow to maturity and expedite pollination.

403.687-018 HARVEST WORKER, FRUIT (agric.) fruit picker.

Harvests fruits and nuts, such as cherries, strawberries, grapes, oranges, and pecans, according to method appropriate for type of fruit, by hand or using tools, such as shears, rubber mallet, pronged scoop, or hooked pole: Carries and positions work aids, such as ladders, canvas drop-cloths, and buckets. Selects fruit to be harvested, according to size, shape, and color. Grasps, twists, and pulls fruit, snips stems, and shakes trees and vines to separate crop from plant and places fruit into bags, buckets, or trays, exercising care to avoid plant and fruit damage. Empties filled containers into collection boxes and bins. May stand on ladders or elevated platforms, stoop over plants, or crawl along rows to reach fruit. May measure fruit, using gages. May pour fruit through screens when removing foreign matter, such as twigs and grasses. May dump fruit from containers onto conveyors or load containers onto trucks or wagons. May remove ladders, debris, boxes, and discarded fruit from fields and bogs to clean growing areas. May collect fallen nuts into piles, using rake. May carry and position irrigation pipes. May be identified with tasks being performed, such as rhubarb trimming, cranberry screening, and walnut knocking.

403.687-022 VINE PRUNER (agric.)

Prunes berry vines according to specific instructions: Walks along berry-plant row and observes plant foliage to ascertain vines requiring pruning. Cuts away excessive vine-growth, using pruning knife and shears.

Adapted from US Department of Labor DOT for Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations



Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations

Send questions to: gebillikopf@ucdavis.edu

Gregorio Billikopf Encina
(209) 525-6800


15 November 2004