Foreperson

Position Title:
Foreperson - Plant Health

Department: Plant Health, Nord Farm, Minnesota

Reports To: Plant Health Department Head

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time

Compensation: $23/hr - $26/hr

Position Summary:

The Plant Health Foreperson is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing an IPM program to support optimal crop health and yield across the farm. This role focuses on prevention, early detection, control, and eradication of weeds, pests and diseases through IPM practices. This role supervises a scouting team, a weeding and fertilizing crew, oversees a pesticide and biological applications crew, to maintain the highest plant quality and production efficiency.

This position also ensures compliance with state and federal safety and regulatory standards as well as state and federal shipping standards for horticultural material.

This role involves working closely with production, growers, inventory, and maintenance staff. Ultimately, the Plant Health Foreperson plays a central role in achieving production goals by maintaining high-quality crops, optimizing labor efficiency, and supporting a safe, well-organized working environment

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee scouting information from all employees for insects, mites, diseases, and weeds.
• Monitor greenhouse media quality (physical and chemical properties).
• Communicate plant health quality to Plant Health Department Head in a timely manner.
• Direct and schedule plant health staff (scouts, fertilizers, weeders, and applicators).
• Implement and supervise an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
• Maintain retail ready quality using phytosanitary treatments so plants can be traded safely.
• Monitor efficacy of phytosanitary treatments and adjust strategies as needed.
• Maintain detailed records of scouting, treatments, and plant quality issues.
• Provide recommendations to improve overall plant quality and reduce crop loss.
• Oversee sanitation protocols for greenhouses, production buildings, and work spaces.
• Implement quarantine or isolation measures for high-risk crops.
• Monitor and maintain application equipment (fertilizers and pesticides).
• Train and supervise staff responsible for scouting activities.
• Train and supervise staff responsible for chemical handling and PPE use.
• Monitor timecards, assist in addressing employee performance or conduct issues and participate in formal disciplinary processes when requested.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal pesticide regulations, worker protection standards (WPS), as well as nursery safety protocols.
• Assist Department Head in maintaining costs against budget for expenses and labor.
• Participate in planning meetings for crop scheduling, crop rotations, and new plant introductions.
• Stay updated on new control products, biological agents, and plant health technologies by reading trade magazines, meeting with vendors, and attending trade shows.
• Trial new strategies or pesticides under controlled conditions, record and share results with all locations.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of horticulture production with a 2, 4-year degree or experience
• Experience leading and directing individuals or teams to achieve common goals.
• Valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets company insurability standards.
• Ability to operate tractors, sprayers, and forklifts.
• Willingness to work in greenhouses and outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• Basic understanding of state and federal safety practices relating to handling pesticides.
• Ability to get a Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License.
• Ability to work weekends/extended hours as needed.
• Computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Ability to learn and execute company policies/procedures/rules as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of horticultural production, pests and strategies for their control.
• Knowledge of pesticides used in nursery and greenhouse production

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., perform frequent standing, bending, lifting, and equipment use, work in greenhouses and outdoors in varying weather…