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General Farm Workers  (NOC 8431)
Kitchener--Waterloo--Barrie Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

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.

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.

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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.

Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Barrie, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Orillia, Waterloo, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Collingwood, Innisfil, Midland, New Hamburg, New Tecumseth, Orangeville, Penetanguishene, Port McNicoll, Shelburne, Alliston, Ayr, Beeton, Buena Vista Park, Cardwell, Cookstown, Cumberland Beach, Elmira, Elmvale, Purple Hill, Rockcut, Rockwood, Starrview Acres, St. Jacobs, Tottenham

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Education & Job Requirements for General Farm Workers in Kitchener--Waterloo--Barrie Region

Education and job requirements can vary by region. Workers in regulated occupations require a licence to work legally. Workers in non-regulated occupations do not require a licence, but employers may have other certification requirements.

List of Associations

AssociationsLink opens in a new window are organizations that may provide news to its members about networking events, professional development and other common issues for people working in the same industry.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

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[ Source: CanLearn - HRSDC ]

Local Training

Harvesting labourers are trained on the job.

Farm workers including employees, family members and foreign workers must undergo safety training approved by the Ministry of the Environment to handle Class 2 and 3 pesticides under the supervision of a Certified Farmer. There are two training options to become an Assistant: 1) Attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC) or; 2) Attend an on-farm training session held by an Assistant Instructor. No exam is required and Assistants must undergo recertification every five years. Further information is available through the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at the University of Guelph (Ridgetown Campus) website at http://www.opep.ca/index.cfm

[ Report Publication Date: 2011-05-24 | Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Information for Newcomers

Getting your language skills assessed

If you do not know what your English or French language level is, visit one of the Language Assessment Centres across Canada. They will assess your language level and direct you to the appropriate language training program.

[ Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada ]
Please consult the Ontario and Canada tabs for more useful information related to education and job requirements.