National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
8 - Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
84 - Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production
843 - Agriculture and horticulture workers
8431 - General farm workers
General farm workers plant, cultivate and harvest crops, raise livestock and poultry and maintain and repair farm equipment and buildings. This group includes operators of farm machinery. General farm workers are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.
Illustrative example(s)
- beef cattle farm worker
- cattle ranch labourer
- dairy farm worker
- farm machinery operator
- general farm worker
- grain farm worker
- harvester machine operator
- hatchery worker
- poultry farm worker
- vegetable farm worker
Exclusion(s)
- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers (8252)
- Harvesting labourers (8611)
- Managers in agriculture (0821)
Main duties
General farm workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plant, fertilize, cultivate, spray, irrigate and harvest crops
- Feed and tend livestock and poultry
- Milk cows
- Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
- Detect disease and health problems in crops, livestock and poultry
- Examine produce for quality and prepare for market
- Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
- Clean stables, barns, barnyards and pens.
General farm workers can become specialized in a particular type of crop or livestock production through experience.
Employment requirements
- There are no specific education or training requirements. However, a college certificate or specialized courses related to farming, such as farm equipment mechanics, agricultural welding, tree pruning and pesticide application, are available.
- Basic farm knowledge, usually obtained from working on a family farm, may be required for employment.
- A course or certificate in first aid may be required.
Additional information
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
8432 - Nursery and greenhouse workers
Nursery and greenhouse workers plant, cultivate and harvest trees, shrubs, flowers and plants, and serve nursery and greenhouse customers. They are employed in indoor and outdoor nurseries and greenhouses.
Illustrative example(s)
- forest nursery worker
- greenhouse worker
- horticulture worker
- hothouse worker
- hydroponics worker
- nursery worker
Exclusion(s)
- Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services (8255)
- General farm workers (8431)
- Harvesting labourers (8611)
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers (8612)
- Managers in horticulture (0822)
- Silviculture and forestry workers (8422)
Main duties
Nursery and greenhouse workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare soil; plant bulbs, seeds and cuttings; graft and bud plants; and transplant seedlings and rooted cuttings
- Spray trees, shrubs, flowers and plants to prevent disease and pests
- Position and regulate greenhouse and outdoor irrigation systems to water plants and fields
- Dig, cut and transplant trees, shrubs, flowers and plants and prepare them for sale
- Provide information to customers on gardening and the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants and lawns
- May operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest and spray fields and plants
- Maintain inventory and order materials as required
- Clean working areas.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Completion of college courses in horticulture or a related field may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.
Additional information
- Progression to supervisory positions, such as greenhouse supervisor, is possible with experience.
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