Pest, Disease & Nutrient Management:
• Apply fertilizers, pesticides, and approved disease- and pest-control treatments following established crop management recommendations and approved research protocols.
• Calibrate and operate pesticide sprayers and fertilizer application equipment safely and accurately.
• Ensure proper application type, rate, timing, placement, and product handling as specified.
• Follow all applicable EPA, FDACS, OSHA, and UF/IFAS Environmental Health & Safety requirements related to chemical handling, application, storage, and disposal.
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
• Operate farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, plows, harrows, rotavators, bed shapers, mulch layers, seed drills, planters, cultivators, fertilizer applicators, sprayers, mowers, plastic lifters, and related implements, following safety requirements and operating procedures.
• Operate support vehicles and auxiliary equipment such as trucks, utility vehicles, loaders, forklifts, golf carts, and trailers as assigned.
• Perform basic, routine equipment maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication, and visual inspections; report equipment malfunctions or safety concerns to supervisory personnel.
Farm Maintenance & Research Crop Management:
• Assist with farm maintenance and support crop management activities for faculty-led research projects across field and enclosed structures in accordance with assigned tasks and protocol specifications.
• Support crop establishment activities, including plowing, harrowing, leveling, bed formation, plastic-mulched bed installation, planting, transplanting, and irrigation setup as directed.
• Carry out routine crop maintenance tasks such as fertilization, irrigation, pest and weed control, and other cultural practices following established guidelines.
• Participate in harvesting and post-harvest operations, including harvesting, grading, data collection, equipment cleaning, and field cleanup.
Crop Irrigation Management:
• Assist with the installation, operation, and upkeep of irrigation systems according to established crop recommendations, best management practices, and approved research protocols.
• Implement irrigation schedules, application amounts, and system configurations as directed or according to established plans.
• Inspect irrigation systems for leaks, blockages, or wear; perform routine cleaning and minor repairs; report system issues as needed.
• Maintain irrigation activity logs and documentation as assigned.
Application Records & Compliance:
• Maintain accurate and complete electronic records of pesticide and fertilizer applications, including product names, EPA registration numbers, fertilizer grades, application rates, dates, treated areas, methods, and applicator identification.
• Ensure records are maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements and retained for the required period.
• Support compliance documentation by organizing and maintaining accessible records as directed.
Procurement & Inventory of Agricultural Supplies:
• Assist with ordering, receiving, tracking, and inventory management of agricultural supplies, including pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation materials, plastic mulch, seeds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and related items.
• Support proper handling, storage, and disposal of agricultural inputs in compliance with EPA, FDACS, OSHA, and institutional guidelines.
• Communicate supply needs or inventory discrepancies to supervisory personnel.
Essential and Other Duties:
• Participate in natural disaster preparedness and recovery activities, including frost protection, hurricane preparation and cleanup, drought mitigation efforts, and storm-related response activities, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support research and farm operations.