-
Farmworkers/Equipment Operator
- Southwind Orchards (Dakota, MN)
-
### Job Duties
Start Date: 02/01/2026
End Date: 11/30/2026
Hours: 40 hours/week, (Monday - Friday 7 hours/day: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and (Saturday 5 hours/day)
Hours listed are the anticipated hours to be worked. These hours could increase or decrease based on weather conditions, crop delay, pests or disease, crop yield, available labor, and or productivity.
Must Apply By: 07/03/2026
Job Duties:
Workers will cut away dead and excess branches from fruit trees using handsaws, pruning hooks, and shears. May apply healing compound to pruning wounds. May cut down and fertilize trees. Workers will use tractors to remove limbs and brush from pruning sites. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Worker will operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and specialty apple harvesting machinery. Workers must have a minimum of 2 months of verifiable work experience driving 75 hp. tractors or larger and operating tractor drawn orchard harvesting equipment/machinery. Worker will occasionally plant trees, prune trees and harvest apples as well as perform other regular orchard duties.
Additional locations:
45443 County Rd. 12
Dakota, Minnesota 55925
Winona County
31292 County Rd. 1
LaCresent, Minnesota 55947
Winona County
### Minimum Education Required
No High School Diploma or GED required.
### Minimum Experience Required
Experience Months: Two (2) months experience.
Workers must have a minimum of 2 months of verifiable work experience driving 75 hp. tractors or larger and operating tractor drawn orchard harvesting equipment/machinery.
Training Months: 0
Certification/License Requirements: No
Driver Requirements: No
Criminal Background Check: No
Drug Screen: No
Lifting Requirement: Yes - 50 lbs.
Exposure to Extreme Temperatures: Yes
Extensive Pushing or Pulling: Yes
Extensive Sitting or Walking: Yes
Frequent Stooping or Bending Over: Yes
Repetitive Movements: Yes
Supervise Others: No
### Shift
First (Day)
### Number of Openings
8
### Public Transportation Accessible
No
### Veterans Encouraged to Apply
Yes
### Physical Required
No
### Drug Test Required
No
### Compensation
$16.65 / Hourly
### Additional Compensation
As required for all workers in Minnesota, hours worked in excess of 48 hours in a work week will be paid at the rate of 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.
### Postal Code
55925
### Place of Work
On-site
### Requisition ID
H-2A #26-035
### Job Type
Full Time
### Job Benefits
EMPLOYER ASSURANCES: Work guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period, starting with date of arrival at work site. Employer provides free housing for workers whose residence is beyond normal commuting distance. Employer pays inbound transportation and subsistence to work site upon 50% completion of work contract for workers whose residence is beyond normal commuting distance. Daily subsistence will be provided at a rate of at least $16.28 per day during travel to a maximum of $68.00 per day with receipts. Required work-related tools and supplies provided free of charge by employer.
Effective Jan 1, 2024, per MN State Statute, an employee will earn one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours of accrued Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) per year, provided the employee works a minimum of 80 hours in a calendar year.
### Application Instructions
Send resume listing experience to:
MN DEED/FLC
Attn: H-2A#26-035
180 E. 5th St. Suite 1200, St. Paul, MN 55101
FAX: 651-297-7722
EMAIL: [email protected]
CALL: Mary Garcia 651-259-7513
-