402 Vegetable Farming

This group includes occupations concerned with growing and harvesting vegetable crops. Occupations concerned with growing and harvesting potatoes, sugar beets, and sugarcane are classified in Group 404. Occupations concerned with growing vegetables in a controlled environment, such as in greenhouses and sheds, are classified in Group 405.

402.131-010 SUPERVISOR, VEGETABLE FARMING (agric.) field supervisor.

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in planting, cultivating, and harvesting vegetable crops: Discusses seasonal crop-growing activities with management to determine sequence of operations and supplies, machinery, and work force needs. Assigns duties, such as tilling soil, planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, harvesting, and maintaining machines, to subordinates, and specifies machines, tools, and supplies to be used. Observes workers to detect inefficient and unsafe work procedures, and demonstrates approved procedures. Performs other duties as described under SUPERVISOR (any ind.). May supervise workers engaged in mechanical repairs. May requisition machinery parts and record purchase data.

402.161-010 FARMER, VEGETABLE (agric.) garden farmer; vegetable grower.

Raises vegetables: Determines kind and amount of crop to be grown, according to market conditions, weather, and size and location of farm. Selects and purchases seed, fertilizer, and farm machinery and arranges with buyers for sale of crop. Hires and directs farm workers engaged in planting, cultivating, and harvesting crop, such as beans, onions, and peas. Performs various duties of farm workers, depending on size and nature of farm, including setting up and operating farm machinery. May grow vegetables in greenhouse to produce out-of-season crops. May grow a variety of vegetables and be designated as TRUCK FARMER (agric.). May specialize in growing a single vegetable and be designated by the name of the vegetable, as ONION FARMER (agric.).

402.663-010 FARM WORKER, VEGETABLE (agric.)I

Drives and operates farm machinery to plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, such as peas, lettuce, tomatoes, and lima beans: 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. Thins, hoes, and weeds row crops, using hand implements. Irrigates land to provide sufficient moisture for crop growth, using irrigation method appropriate to crop or locality. May mix spray solutions and spray crops. May supervise seasonal workers and keep time records of workers. May use horse-drawn equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. May adjust and maintain farm machinery. May be identified with crop raised.

402.687-010 FARM WORKER, VEGETABLE (agric.)II garden worker; laborer, vegetable farm; vegetable worker.

Plants, cultivates, and harvests vegetables, working as crew member: Dumps seed into hopper of planter towed by tractor. Rides on planter and brushes debris from seed spouts that discharge seeds into plowed furrow. Plants roots and bulbs, using hoe or trowel. Covers plants with sheet or caps of treated cloth or paper to protect plants from weather. Weeds and thins blocks of plants, using hoe or spoon-shaped tool. Transplants seedlings, using hand transplanted or by placing seedlings in rotating planting wheel while riding on power-drawn transplanted. Sets bean poles and strings them with wire or twine. Closes and ties leaves over heads of cauliflower and other cabbage and cabbage like plants. Picks, cuts, pulls, or lifts crops to harvest them. Ties vegetables in bunches and removes tops from root crops. Pitches vine crops into viner (pea or bean shelling machine), using pitchfork or electric fork and boom, and cleans up spilled vines. May participate in irrigation activities. May be identified with work assigned, such as blocking, cutting, and stringing, or with crop raised such as asparagus, beans and celery.

402.687-014 HARVEST WORKER, VEGETABLE (agric.)

Harvests vegetables, such as cucumbers onions, lettuce, and sweet corn, by hand or using knife, according to method appropriate for type of vegetable: Ascertains picking assignment from supervisor and places work aids, such as buckets and tie wires, in assigned area. Picks vegetable from plant, pulls vegetable from plant or soil, or cuts vegetable from stem or root. Puts vegetables in container or lays bunches of vegetables along row for collection. Carries containers or armloads of bunched vegetables to collection point. Loads vegetables on trucks or field conveyors. May tie vegetables into specified-size bunches, using wires or rubber bands. May cut top foliage from root vegetables, using knife. May wash vegetables. May be identified with tasks performed, such as picking, cutting, bunching, and washing; or with crop harvested, such as cucumbers, lettuce, onions, radishes, and sweet corn.

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

15 November 2004