Walters Gardens
Grower Technician & Material Handler
Walters Gardens, Zeeland, Michigan, United States, 49464
Description:
PRIMARY PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:
The Grower Technician assists the Section Grower and Lead Grower in ensuring all plants produced in the greenhouses at Walters Gardens are grown to the highest quality standard and in a safe, efficient, and economical way.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Moisture Management• Monitor crops daily to determine when to irrigate plants based on growing environment, plant needs, and moisture levels• Learn different varieties, sizes, season cycles, and water patterns to achieve a proper and even moisture level throughout crops• Operate, maintain, and schedule all irrigation systems• Communicate with Section Grower and Lead Grower for specific water, environmental, and special application needs daily and before weekends/holidays• Participate in Friday, weekend, and holiday watering schedules
Fertility Management• Read, assess and coordinate weekly media testing and water sampling• Schedule and apply fertilizer and/or other nutrients weekly based on media testing results• Learn and understand the different fertilizer blends and rates• Upkeep Injector room by monitoring equipment, adjusting injector rates, and mixing tanks when necessary.• Choose between fertilizer blends and rates for optimal plant nutrition based on media testing and water sampling results• Keep crops on schedule
Sanitation• Scout weekly for algae, liverwort, and weeds in and around the greenhouses• Apply sanitation techniques to control algae and liverwort growth• Remove and destroy all weeds and liverwort as they are observed• Keep greenhouse aisles and floor matting free of debris• Make herbicide applications around the greenhouses as needed• Applying slug bait and mouse bait to greenhouse ranges• Utilize ride on sweeper to keep aisles and production areas clean• Disposal of chemical rinsate on field grounds
Material Handling• Unloading deliveries and putting supplies in proper locations• Help keep production areas organized by moving skids, removing waste, and moving dumpsters• Assist with unloading cuttings and tissue culture and moving to proper holding facilities
Additional Duties• Participate in chemical applications of plant growth regulators, fungicides, and insecticides• Monitor crops and coordinate mowing/pruning as needed• Assist with mowing and moving of plants as needed• Observe and communicate any pest and disease issues to the IPM Team, Section Grower, and Lead Grower immediately• Communicate any other problems or concerns to Section Grower and/or Lead Grower immediately• Assist in keeping inventory accurate with physical inventory checks and checking plug pulling documents.• Other duties as assignedRequirements:
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:2 years of horticulture education or experienceBasic organizational and math skillsComputer skills (including Microsoft Office)Ability to be on your feet for 9 hours each dayAbility to lift heavy objects (up to 50lbs)Available to work on weekends as neededBilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred
PIff9d31565418-35216-35580703
PRIMARY PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:
The Grower Technician assists the Section Grower and Lead Grower in ensuring all plants produced in the greenhouses at Walters Gardens are grown to the highest quality standard and in a safe, efficient, and economical way.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Moisture Management• Monitor crops daily to determine when to irrigate plants based on growing environment, plant needs, and moisture levels• Learn different varieties, sizes, season cycles, and water patterns to achieve a proper and even moisture level throughout crops• Operate, maintain, and schedule all irrigation systems• Communicate with Section Grower and Lead Grower for specific water, environmental, and special application needs daily and before weekends/holidays• Participate in Friday, weekend, and holiday watering schedules
Fertility Management• Read, assess and coordinate weekly media testing and water sampling• Schedule and apply fertilizer and/or other nutrients weekly based on media testing results• Learn and understand the different fertilizer blends and rates• Upkeep Injector room by monitoring equipment, adjusting injector rates, and mixing tanks when necessary.• Choose between fertilizer blends and rates for optimal plant nutrition based on media testing and water sampling results• Keep crops on schedule
Sanitation• Scout weekly for algae, liverwort, and weeds in and around the greenhouses• Apply sanitation techniques to control algae and liverwort growth• Remove and destroy all weeds and liverwort as they are observed• Keep greenhouse aisles and floor matting free of debris• Make herbicide applications around the greenhouses as needed• Applying slug bait and mouse bait to greenhouse ranges• Utilize ride on sweeper to keep aisles and production areas clean• Disposal of chemical rinsate on field grounds
Material Handling• Unloading deliveries and putting supplies in proper locations• Help keep production areas organized by moving skids, removing waste, and moving dumpsters• Assist with unloading cuttings and tissue culture and moving to proper holding facilities
Additional Duties• Participate in chemical applications of plant growth regulators, fungicides, and insecticides• Monitor crops and coordinate mowing/pruning as needed• Assist with mowing and moving of plants as needed• Observe and communicate any pest and disease issues to the IPM Team, Section Grower, and Lead Grower immediately• Communicate any other problems or concerns to Section Grower and/or Lead Grower immediately• Assist in keeping inventory accurate with physical inventory checks and checking plug pulling documents.• Other duties as assignedRequirements:
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:2 years of horticulture education or experienceBasic organizational and math skillsComputer skills (including Microsoft Office)Ability to be on your feet for 9 hours each dayAbility to lift heavy objects (up to 50lbs)Available to work on weekends as neededBilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred
PIff9d31565418-35216-35580703