Menu
We assist with seasonal positions (between 8 and 9 months of the year) on mostly crop farms in the USA.
Our clients perform general farm work (with a few positions on livestock farms), operating farm equipment (tractors, trucks, sprayers, combines, grain carts, GPS technology, etc) and acting as truck drivers for short distances and three to four months during harvest season. Manure handling is another limited possibility.
A few positions on harvesting crews are also available. Alternative and limited positions include employment on row crop farms, working in greenhouses and packing facilities. Precision and sorting duties are often better suited for female workers – these positions are limited and thus sought after.
Where larger scale employers have the need for it, qualified diesel mechanics with experience in repairing and maintaining farm implements are also employed. Additional skills such as welding, pivot maintenance etc could also be a bonus.
Relevant experience and skills for a crop farming environment (land preparation, ploughing, planting, sowing, spraying, harvesting), which would include equipment operating skills and attaching implements to tractors.
Additional skills such as GPS technology, operating an airseeder, pivot & irrigation systems, feedlot/cattle/dairy, welding/manufacturing skills, manure & silage handling, as well as mechanical skills for repairs and maintenance on farming implements would be a bonus. Truck (Semi truck/semi with a trailer/semi with two trailers) driving experience (EC licence in South Africa) is a further bonus to employers.)
Limited employment options are available in greenhouses and packing facilities, on mixed/row crop farms, for diesel mechanics (working on farm implements) with crop farming experience and truck drivers (during harvest time), as well as on harvest crews.
As long hours of physical farm labor are expected, a passion for farming is required to contribute towards a successful and fulfilling season of farm work in the US.
The ability to adapt – both to step up to the larger international farming platform and to leave the security of home and loved ones behind – is an important skill.
An employer may expect any farm related duties from their H2A workers and as workers are paid per hour (no overtime is applicable) workers need to be willing to work and keep a positive mindset.
The ability to manage stressful circumstances and handle pressure is part of the ever-changing farming environment. The expectation is that the South African worker performs general handyman duties and adapt to the daily (and sometimes even hourly) planning of the employer or manager.