Farmer, fruit

Tree and shrub crop growers plan, organise and perform farming operations to grow and harvest fruit trees and shrubs, vineyards and other perennial crops for sale or regular delivery to wholesale buyers, marketing organisations or at markets.

• monitoring market conditions and determining the types and quantities of crops to be grown accordingly, and planning and coordinating production;
• preparing the soil by hand or machine and applying fertilisers and manure;
• selecting and sowing seeds and planting saplings and seedlings;
• maintaining proper plant growth by cultivating the soil, transplanting, pruning or thinning trees and shrubs, and installing and operating irrigation equipment;
• applying pesticides and herbicides to control weeds, pests and plant diseases;
• cultivating trees and shrubs and harvesting fruit, sap and other useful products;
• inspecting, cleaning, grading, packing and storing produce intended for sale or delivery to market;
• tending draught animals and maintaining buildings, equipment and irrigation systems;
• storing and carrying out primary processing of produce;
• promoting and marketing produce, arranging the sale, purchase and transport of products and supplies, and maintaining records of farm activities and transactions;
• training and supervising production workers, ensuring occupational health and safety, and hiring and dismissing workers and contractors.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Farmer, vineyards
• Farmer, fruit trees
• Farmer, hops
• Vine grower
• Fruit grower
• Worker, orchard
• Worker, hops