Horticultural Workers

Horticultural Workers at Barnhill Farms Nursery, Inc. in Lucedale, MS.

Crops/Commodities: Crops Grown: Flowering, ornamental, and vegetable plants. Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Plant, cultivate and harvest field and container grown flowering, woody and ornamental plants, shrubs, trees and vegetable plants and maintain nursery field stock by hand and using garden tools. Transplant, pot and label at a fast pace within an assembly line. Spray, weed, fertilize, prune, shape and water plants, shrubs, and trees. Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs. Place baskets and burlap on the plants. Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease. Operate tractors, pole saws, weed eaters, chain saws, hand clippers, digging machines and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest, and spray fields and plants. Count, check and inspect plants, trees, shrubs and bud ties to assess quality. Maintain, regulate and repair irrigation and climate control systems and or other equipment. Move and transport containerized shrubs, plants, and trees and planting materials including topsoil, fertilizer and peat moss using carts, wheelbarrows or tractors. Fill growing tanks with water. Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees. Wrap roots and pack them into boxes to fill orders. Pull and load orders.

Secondary duties (performed on less than half of the workdays in the contract period): Dig, rake, and screen soil. Fill cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting. Clean work areas. Maintain grounds and landscaping. Repair or maintain nursery structures. As a minor activity, load hay bales onto trailers. Workers with a valid license and doctor's certificate may make local deliveries of plants.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time. Workers will have an unpaid lunch break.

TERMINATION. Prior to any termination for cause, employer evaluates workers' performance of required tasks and compliance with Work Rules and other employer policies. Employer may terminate a worker for cause if the worker's performance consistently and/or substantially fails to satisfy the employer's reasonable expectations (in accordance with the criteria set forth herein), or otherwise engages in serious or egregious misconduct that endangers health, safety, or property. In assessing whether workers' performance meets reasonable expectations, employer evaluates, among other reasonable criteria, whether the worker: (1) has adequately complied with the Work Rules and any other policies or procedures; (2) has complied with all health and safety guidelines, including the use of tools or equipment in accordance with best practices to protect the employer's property, crops, and in a manner that avoids injury or damage; (3) has treated company property (tools, equipment, crops, fixtures, etc.

Work begins January 1, 2027 and ends October 31, 2027.

Pay is $14.83 per hour.

Housing is provided.

Typical schedule: about 46 hours per week.