Job Description

9 Fulltime Seasonal H-2A jobs available 02/14/2026 - 11/07/2026.

Workers will perform various tasks involved in planting, cultivation (including pruning and thinning) and harvesting fruit according to supervisors instructions. Workers may till soil, plant stock, and do pruning activities using a variety of tools. May aid in irrigation duties. May aid in minor repair of wooden fruit containers. Workers will harvest fruit according to color, size, and degree of maturity as specified by supervisor and place into bushel baskets taking the extra time, care and effort not to bruise or scar the fruit.

The following description of job activities applies to apples and sweet cherries.

Orchard Standards: a) workers must stay on their assigned row, b) workers must completely check each tree to ensure all fruit is harvested prior to moving to the next tree, c) workers must be able to lift and carry their ladders. Workers are responsible for getting their own ladders and returning them to the ladder wagon at the end of each workday or as directed by the grower or designated supervisor, d) workers must keep picking areas free of limbs, leaves, or mushy fruit.

Harvest: Some apples are harvested/picked for immediate use. This is called spot harvest and workers must be extremely careful not to damage, scratch or bruise the fruit. Employer will set the standard to which the fruit is to be harvested. This includes color, size and use. Harvest will be done from 16-foot-tall ladder weighting up to 30 lbs. All workers must be able to lift and carry their ladders, as well as work from the tip. Workers must check the entire tree to ensure removal of all fruit meeting the picking specification and requirements. Fruit is gently placed in the picking container until the container is full. The picking container may weight to 50 lbs. Once full workers will gently empty the container into the field bin. Workers will take care not to spill, bruise or damage the fruit. Field bin volume will be checked by supervisors.

Pruning: While pruning trees, workers will receive the proper tools for the particular job, i.e., saw, pruners and hand snips. The tools will be returned to the employer at the end of the task. The supervisor will set a standard or pattern for each orchard and will demonstrate and communicate this to workers.

Thinning: While thinning trees, workers will be instructed as to how close together fruit should be spaced and what fruit is most desirable to leave or take. The supervisor will set a standard or pattern for each orchard and will demonstrate and communicate this to workers

Orchard Maintenance: Workers involved in orchard maintenance may be required to hoe trees, girdle, spread fertilizer, pick up roots and limbs, paint tree trunks, strip suckers or unwanted growth trees, dig root suckers, bush hogging, spraying, remove vines lay irrigation pipe, repair, and maintain irrigation system, and strap and tie fruit trees. Employer will provide all equipment. Instructions will be given for each task and standards of performance communicated to workers. The specific standards for a job will be disclosed and demonstrated by the supervisor before the worker begins.

See job order for full duties.

Requirements:

• Workers must have three months experience hand harvesting produce on a commercial farm
• Must be able to lift 75 pounds.
• Random, post hire drug test at employer's expense
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
• Repetitive movements, extensive pushing and pulling, extensive walking, frequent stooping

The full terms and conditions of the job (form ETA790a) should be reviewed and provided to qualified applicants from this website: seasonaljobs.dol.gov. For assistance with this job order, please email H2A@labor.ny.gov. If applicable, please include the interested applicants name and job order number in the email.

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