What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Grower - Sunbelt Greenhouses position at Ag Jobs?
Job Description
About Sunbelt:
Sunbelt Greenhouses is a wholesale grower located in Douglas, Georgia. Sunbelt Greenhouses was founded in 1983 by Lorence Wenke from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sunbelt has 21 acres of climate-controlled greenhouses and an additional 8 acres of outdoor production. Wenke Greenhouses has 4 locations in the Kalamazoo area with over 60 acres in production. Both companies are owned by Lisa Ambrosio and Jeff Wenke. Our main crops are ornamental, vegetable, and houseplants. We have a young plant department that produces plugs and liners for internal use and to sell to other growers. Our customer base is individual garden centers, Costco, and landscapers in the Southeast. We are a leader in our industry producing beautiful plants.
We are very active in our community and support local educational agriculture programs.
Job Summary:
The Lead Grower is responsible for producing a quality crop that is ready the week expected. Plants require care 7 days/week and some tasks can only be done after hours. Growing is a unique, skilled trade that develops from hands-on experience combined with educational opportunities. The Lead Grower coordinates directly with the production crew to efficiently complete the necessary tasks. The Lead Grower participates in cost analysis, scheduling, variety selection and more "behind the scenes" planning work.
Responsibilities:
• Supervising and training the growing team
• Watering and fertilizing the crop by hand-watering with a hose, boom and/or drip irrigation
• Chemical application (growth regulators, pesticides, fungicides, etc...)
• Soil and water testing to determine the pH, EC and nutrients available to the crop
• Disease/pest scouting, prevention and treatment
• Environmental controls for light, shade, vents, temperatures
• Mixing of fertilizers in bulk tanks
• Decisions about crop care including pinching, spacing, and moving
• Quality and timing communication
• Crop organization and layout.
• Participate in the production planning including variety selection, trialing, crop plans, cost analysis, space planning, and material purchasing
• Identification of facility and equipment maintenance needs
Schedule / work hours:
• Anticipate 60 hours per week from December - April. Expect to work every other weekend during the busy season.
• Anticipate 40-50 hours per week from May - November
• General weekday schedule: 6:45 AM to 4:30 PM
• Some weekends and after-hours work will be required
• Vacation time available during non-peak seasons and in coordination with growing team
Skills needed to be successful:
• Desire to be responsible for growing a quality crop
• Desire for continuous improvement
• Ability to look at the crop and identify what needs to be done
• Ability to mix and apply chemicals
• Ability to manage and train others
• Ability to organize and prioritize the work that needs to be done
• Physical ability to be on feet 8-10 hours per day / 7 days per week, frequent bending & Lifting
• Ability to speak Spanish helpful
Experience Required:
• 5 years of growing similar crops
• 2 or 4-year degree in Horticulture/Agriculture experience growing crops in a greenhouse.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, & Excel.
• Ability to obtain a Georgia Pesticide Applicator license.
Compensation:
• Plan to progress to management level after 3 years
• Opportunities for training and additional education
• Health insurance available and partially paid by employer
• Dental insurance fully paid by employer
• Paid time off for vacations and holidays
• 401K with low fees up to 4% employer contribution
About Sunbelt:
Sunbelt Greenhouses is a wholesale grower located in Douglas, Georgia. Sunbelt Greenhouses was founded in 1983 by Lorence Wenke from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sunbelt has 21 acres of climate-controlled greenhouses and an additional 8 acres of outdoor production. Wenke Greenhouses has 4 locations in the Kalamazoo area with over 60 acres in production. Both companies are owned by Lisa Ambrosio and Jeff Wenke. Our main crops are ornamental, vegetable, and houseplants. We have a young plant department that produces plugs and liners for internal use and to sell to other growers. Our customer base is individual garden centers, Costco, and landscapers in the Southeast. We are a leader in our industry producing beautiful plants.
We are very active in our community and support local educational agriculture programs.
Job Summary:
The Lead Grower is responsible for producing a quality crop that is ready the week expected. Plants require care 7 days/week and some tasks can only be done after hours. Growing is a unique, skilled trade that develops from hands-on experience combined with educational opportunities. The Lead Grower coordinates directly with the production crew to efficiently complete the necessary tasks. The Lead Grower participates in cost analysis, scheduling, variety selection and more "behind the scenes" planning work.
Responsibilities:
• Supervising and training the growing team
• Watering and fertilizing the crop by hand-watering with a hose, boom and/or drip irrigation
• Chemical application (growth regulators, pesticides, fungicides, etc...)
• Soil and water testing to determine the pH, EC and nutrients available to the crop
• Disease/pest scouting, prevention and treatment
• Environmental controls for light, shade, vents, temperatures
• Mixing of fertilizers in bulk tanks
• Decisions about crop care including pinching, spacing, and moving
• Quality and timing communication
• Crop organization and layout.
• Participate in the production planning including variety selection, trialing, crop plans, cost analysis, space planning, and material purchasing
• Identification of facility and equipment maintenance needs
Schedule / work hours:
• Anticipate 60 hours per week from December - April. Expect to work every other weekend during the busy season.
• Anticipate 40-50 hours per week from May - November
• General weekday schedule: 6:45 AM to 4:30 PM
• Some weekends and after-hours work will be required
• Vacation time available during non-peak seasons and in coordination with growing team
Skills needed to be successful:
• Desire to be responsible for growing a quality crop
• Desire for continuous improvement
• Ability to look at the crop and identify what needs to be done
• Ability to mix and apply chemicals
• Ability to manage and train others
• Ability to organize and prioritize the work that needs to be done
• Physical ability to be on feet 8-10 hours per day / 7 days per week, frequent bending & Lifting
• Ability to speak Spanish helpful
Experience Required:
• 5 years of growing similar crops
• 2 or 4-year degree in Horticulture/Agriculture experience growing crops in a greenhouse.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, & Excel.
• Ability to obtain a Georgia Pesticide Applicator license.
Compensation:
• Plan to progress to management level after 3 years
• Opportunities for training and additional education
• Health insurance available and partially paid by employer
• Dental insurance fully paid by employer
• Paid time off for vacations and holidays
• 401K with low fees up to 4% employer contribution