Farm Worker

The Greene Company (TGC) is a family-owned business located in western Rhode Island dedicated to the stewardship of natural and cultural resources of the land, consisting of about 2000 acres of forest, farm and open space. As a Grower-Owner for the Ocean Spray Company Cranberry Cooperative, TGC has been farming over 100 acres of cranberry bogs for the last 50 years.

This is an entry level position with opportunities to grow. The full-time Farm Worker is a member of a team including the Farm Manager, the Farm Foreman and several seasonal or part time laborers. The Greene Company Full Time Farm Worker performs a variety work under the direction of the Farm Manager and the Farm Foreman.

The work consists of but is not limited to the following:

• Manual labor including but not limited to weeding, raking, spreading fertilizer, picking up brush, painting.
• Operating small power equipment such as weed trimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws.
• Operating tractors and other motorized vehicles and equipment.
• Applying herbicides under the direction of the Farm Manager and the Farm Foreman.
• Harvesting cranberries which involves working in hip boots while working in the flooded bogs.
• Assist with overnight frost protection.
• Following all applicable food safety, equipment safety and other work rules mandated by Federal, State and Greene Company rules and regulations.
• Forest and trail maintenance work along with general home and property maintenance.
• Work hours are generally Monday to Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm with a thirty-minute unpaid lunch but the hours may vary due to weather and harvest and project schedules. As much notice as possible is given but at times there will be limited notice to work schedule changes. Arrive on time to get assignment for the day and have all the gear (clothing & equipment) ready for the work day to start.

Team Member Expectations:

• Punctuality - To come each day on time to assist with any work needed on the farm. Communication - be respectful of other team members and supervisors and work in a cooperative manner to successfully accomplish the work.
• Flexibility - respond to routine and emergency calls (weather related) where assistance is needed to protect the crop and farm property.
• Accountability- To proactively learn and contribute to the necessary work to grow high quality cranberries including irrigation, weeding, harvesting, frost protection and routine agricultural maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Required to work weekends and nights when needed for projects and frost protection.
• During harvest, which runs from mid-September through the first week of November, work hours will include weekends.
• Must be able to work in various weather conditions which include rain, snow and summer conditions.
• Must be able to operate small power equipment and be able to learn to operate tractors and other equipment.
• Must be able to pass all mandated training as required by the Farm Manager.
• Must have the ability to physically lift up to 50 pounds. Must pass a standard background (BCI Check) and pre employment physical.
• Additional helpful qualifications: hoisting license, pesticide license and Commercial Drivers License.

Wage, Salary & Benefit Description:

• Housing option available.
• Starting wage negotiable, based previous farm experience, skills and housing option.
• An overtime rate of time and one half will be paid after 45 hours have been worked in a given week.
• Health Insurance Available. Paid Time Off.
• Holiday Pay.
• A full description of benefits will be discussed during the job interview.