Pomologist Fruit and Nut Grower - Career Advice - Environments

Fruit & Nut Farmer/Supervisor
Fruit & Nut Farm Worker
Fruit & Nut Picker

Critical Thinking Spot

A pomologist is a scientist who studies the cultivation of edible fruit and nuts, including apples, pears, oranges, strawberries, walnuts and almonds. FutureGrowthModerate Pomologists work with fruits, developing interesting hybrids and cross-breeds, while olericulture focuses on vegetables. Pomologists study the science of fruit development, applying their knowledge by creating strategies for optimal fruit production. They must have an understanding of plant science and climatology as well.

A pomologist is a scientist who is responsible for ensuring the healthy growth and breeding of fruits and nuts, as well as the trees and bushes on which they grow.

Generally speaking, they are responsible for cultivating new fruits and nuts, as well as maximising the production of existing varieties. They also make sure that crops are more resistant to diseases and adverse weather and that they remain commercially viable.

ANZSCO ID: 1216

Knowledge, skills and attributes

First and foremost, you’ll need a love for outdoor gardening and an eagerness to learn about horticulture subjects like fruit tree propagation to become a pomologist.

Excellent research and laboratory skills
Strong analytical skills
An interest in fruit cultivation
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Good outdoor/field skills
A good level of attention to detail
Good report-writing skills for creating research reports
Excellent speaking skills
Inquisitiveness and persistence
An up-to-date knowledge of the industry’s trends

Heirloom Apples
What apples do you see in the supermarket, farmer's markets or green grocer?

What about Australia's Granny Smith apple?

Duties and Tasks

Because pomologists are responsible for the growth of healthy fruits and nuts, these plant scientists must understand the science behind plant genetics, pollination and plant maturation. In order to ensure the best possible yield, they must also be highly informed about climatology, particularly how it pertains to the condition preferences of the crop and susceptibility of the crop to various types of weather. Many pomologists are also responsible for watering, pruning and transplanting crops when necessary. Similarly, such pomologists must also care for the crop soil, ensuring that the chemical components of the soil are normal and appropriate.

As a pomologist, your job duties will typically include:

Developing new fruit and nut cultivars
Studying pruning practices, fertilisation and other activities to ensure trees and crops remain healthy and productive
Dealing with crop pests, infections and diseases which could threaten the health of a crop
Determining the best ways to harvest and transport fruit and nuts, eg: developing specialised crates
Analysing shelf life and storing conditions to ensure crops last as long as possible once harvested
Cope with adverse weather to ensure survival of crops across changing climate conditions
Studying the growing conditions of various fruit and nut trees
Watering, pruning and transplanting crops, when necessary

Working conditions

Often found in laboratories, orchards, greenhouses, and on farms, pomologists can be employed by the government, colleges and universities, private research facilities and agricultural organizations.

Pomologists usually work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, but working hours and workloads can vary according to the season. Long hours and working on weekends is to be expected. Work is usually carried out in the field where you will work with actual trees. Outdoor work can be challenging as you will often have to perform your job in all sorts of weather, including in the freezing cold, rainstorms and blistering heat. A hands-on approach is, therefore, critical. You will also work in an office or conduct theoretical research in a lab.

Education and training/entrance requirements

They need, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Many food and agricultural scientists, which includes pomologists, go on to earn advanced degrees.

Did You Know?

Professor Pomona Sprout,
Head of Herbology, Hogwarts School of Wizardary

Her first name ‘Pomona’ comes from the Latin word ‘pomum’ which means ‘fruit’. It is also the name of the Roman goddess of fruit – Pomona – who was the protector of the orchards.

Her surname ‘Sprout’ has Germanic roots and means ‘to sow’ or, ‘that which was scattered’, and is linked to the idea of new plant growth. It is also a term used in the botany specialism to describe the development of shoots and leaves on a plant – Professor of Herbology/botany specialist. Get it? Yeah? Genius.

Professor Pomona Sprout literally translates into ‘bearer of fruit and new growth’. A wonderful moniker for a woman who not only nurtures plants and uses them to save others (think Mandrake Restorative Draught), but who pays special attention to her students and encourages their personal growth (think Neville Longbottom).

‘I am sure Dumbledore would have wanted the school to remain open,’ said Professor Sprout. ‘I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil.’

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
(Source: Wizarding World)

Fruit or Nut Growers manage planting, cultivating and harvesting activities to grow fruit and nuts. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO ID: 121213

Alternative names: Fruit & Nut Grower, Orchardist,

Specialist names: eg. Olive Grower, Berry Grower

Specialisations: Market Gardener (Fruit), Olive Grower, Orchardist

Knowledge, skills and attributes

an interest in agricultural practices
business management and budgeting skills
the ability to organise and motivate staff
the ability to find and develop new activities to keep the farm profitable
computer skills
good communication skills.

Selection of Fruits and Nuts
(Source: Farm Online)

Duties and Tasks

Plants and cultivates trees, such as apple, orange, and walnut, and harvests fruit and nut crops, applying knowledge of horticulture and market conditions
Determines varieties and quantities of trees to be grown, acreage to be tilled, and employees to be hired.
Co-ordinates production and marketing of fruit and nuts, from soil preparation through to harvest, taking into account environmental and market factors.
Plants seeds and seedlings as well as grafting new varieties to root stocks.
Maintains crop production by cultivating, de-budding and pruning, as well as maintaining optimal growing conditions.
Conducts farming operations, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and dispatch of produce.
Oversees general farming activities such as fertilising and the control of pests and weeds.
Maintains farm buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems.
Evaluates records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand.
Manages business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management.
Selects trains and supervises staff and contractors.
Selects and purchases tree stock and farm machines, implements, and supplies.
Decides when and how to plant, bud, graft, cultivate, irrigate, and prune trees and harvest crop, based on knowledge of tree-crop culture.
Attaches farm implements, such as plow, disc, and harrow, to tractor and drives tractor in fields to till soil.
Plants root stock, applies fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides, and irrigates fields.
Prunes growing trees to develop desired size and shape.
Assigns duties to farm hands and explains orchard work techniques and safety regulations to inexperienced workers.
Maintains employee and financial records.
Arranges with buyers for sale of crops.
Lubricates, adjusts, and makes minor repairs on farm machinery, implements, and equipment, using oil can, grease gun, and hand tools.
May bud and graft stock.
May plant ground crops to shade ground, conserve moisture, and improve soil.

Estimated number of labour hours required in fruit production (per hectare per year)
[Source: Dept of Primary Industries & Regional Development WA]

Job	Nectarines	Apples	Mandarins	Oranges
Fruit thinning	350	100	60	0
Pruning	350	200	50	50
Harvesting	300	300	450	200
Packing	300	150	150	100
Fertilising	30	30	30	30
Irrigation	80	80	20	20
Pest Control	30	30	20	20
Pest Monitoring	20	20	20	20

Supervisor [could be the farmer on a small farm]

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in cultivating, pruning, spraying, thinning, propping, and harvesting tree crops, such as apples, lemons, oranges, peaches, and pecans
Assigns trees, rows, or blocks of trees to workers.
Directs workers in spacing, thinning, irrigating, fertilizing, spraying, and pruning trees and in harvesting fruit. Issues ladders, pruning tools, and picking bags or buckets to workers.
Inspects harvested fruit for bruises, maturity, and improper harvesting defects.
May dig up soil samples from various locations in grove to send to laboratory for analysis, using auger or shovel.
May examine trees for blight and insect infestation and record degree of damage and location of affected trees.
May requisition and purchase farm supplies, such as insecticides and machinery lubricants.
May hire and discharge workers.
May prepare daily tally sheets of worker hours and production.
Evaluate weather and soil conditions and to develop plans and procedures.
Hires workers and explains and demonstrates field work-techniques and safety-regulations to inexperienced workers.
Assigns duties, such as tilling soil, planting, cultivating, and spraying vines, and gathering berries, to farm workers and oversees work activities.
Attaches farm implement, such as disc, planter, and fertilizer, and herbicide spreader, to tractor, and drives tractor in fields to plant and cultivate vines.
May adjust and repair farm machinery.
May irrigate fields.
May cut plant runners and uprights to thin vines and stimulate growth, using pruning tools.

Orchardist
Farmer selecting Chinese jujube
(Source: Dept of Primary Industries & Regional Development WA)

Berry Grower

Plants and cultivates fruit bushes and vines and harvests crops, such as grapes, cranberries, and strawberries, applying knowledge of growth characteristics of specific varieties and soil, climate, and market conditions
Determines varieties and quantities of plants to be grown, acreage to be tilled, and employees to be hired.
Selects and purchases plant stock and farm machines, implements, and supplies.
Decides when and how to plant, bud, graft, prune, sucker, cultivate and irrigate plants, and harvest crop, based on knowledge of vine-crop culture.
Attaches farm implements, such as harrow and ditcher, to tractor and drives tractor in fields to till soil.
Drives and operates farm machinery to spray fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides and haul fruit boxes.
Hires, assigns duties to, and oversees activities of seasonal workers engaged in tilling and irrigating soil; pruning plants; and harvesting and marketing crops.
Demonstrates and explains farm work techniques and safety regulations.
Maintains employee and financial records.
Makes arrangements with buyers for sale and shipment of crop.
May make arrangements with pilot to spray and dust fertilizers and pesticides on planted acreage.
May install irrigation system(s) and irrigate fields.
May set poles, string wires on poles to form trellises, and tie vines and canes to trellis wires.
May prune vines and canes to size and shape growth.
May lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs on farm machinery, implements, and equipment, using oil can, grease gun, and hand tools, such as hammer and wrench.

Working conditions

Your working hours would vary depending on the time of year, however generally farmers work long hours. At busy times such as harvesting, you are likely to work early mornings, evenings and weekends. Most farmers are self-employed and farm their own land or a leasehold property rented from a landowner. Farm managers are usually employees who are paid a salary to manage a farm or group of farms.

Farm management combines office work with time spent outside around the farm in all weather conditions. Practical farm work can be physically demanding. You may work in large or small enterprises, or travel between a number of properties to manage activities. You will also need a drivers’ licence.

Tools and technologies

Pruning tools
Tractor
Disc
Planter
Fertilizer
Poles, string wires to form trellises, vine ties
Hammer and wrench
Computer to maintain employee and financial records

Education and training/entrance requirements

You usually need relevant crop farming experience to work as a Fruit or Nut Grower. While formal qualifications aren't essential, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in horticulture or agriculture may be useful. You can also become a farmer or farm manager by gaining a degree in agriculture, agribusiness, fruit and nut speciality science, agricultural science or rural science.

Fruit or Nut Farm Workers perform routine tasks on fruit or nut farms, such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting, irrigating and pruning crops. They may spray chemicals on crops to treat disease and pests. Future Growth Static

ANZSCO description: 841211: Performs routine tasks on a fruit or nut farm such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting, irrigating and pruning crops. May spray chemicals on crops to treat disease and pests.

Specialisations: Orchard Worker

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Enjoy practical work
Free from skin conditions and allergies to agricultural chemicals
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Able to work at heights
Able to work quickly and consistently for long periods of time
Willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work
Reliable and motivated.

Robotic apple picker trials continue in Washington
https://youtu.be/mS0coCmXiYU

Duties and Tasks

Undertakes planting using hand tools and farm machines.
Builds trellises for climbing plants and vines.
Operates machines to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest fruit and nuts.
Sprays trees, vines and other plants with chemicals to control weeds, insects, fungus growth and diseases.
Drives and operates farm machinery to plant, cultivate, spray, and harvest fruit and nut crops, such as apples, oranges, strawberries, and pecans.
Attaches farm implements, such as plow, planter, fertilizer applicator, and harvester to tractor and drives tractor in fields to prepare soil and plant, fertilize, and harvest crops.
Mixes chemical ingredients and sprays trees, vines, and grounds with solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases.
Removes excess growth from trees and vines to improve fruit quality, using pruning saws and clippers.
Irrigates soil, using portable-pipe or ditch system.
Picks fruit during harvest.
Drives truck or tractor to transport materials, supplies, workers, and products.
Makes adjustments and minor repairs to farm machinery.
May thin blossoms, runners, and immature fruit to obtain better-quality fruit.
May select, cut, and graft stock-wood (scion) onto tree stem or trunk to propagate fruit and nut trees.
May spray trees in spring to loosen and remove surplus fruit, and in fall to prevent early dropping and discoloration of fruit.
May prop limbs to prevent them from breaking under weight of fruit.
May start fans that circulate air or light smudge pots or torches to prevent frost damage.
May be identified with work being performed, such as picking, plowing and spraying; or according to crop worked such as cherries, cranberries, lemons, or walnuts.
Thins, weeds and hoes row crops, and prunes trees and vines.
Irrigates land for crop growth.
Selects and picks fruit and nuts according to size and ripeness, and discards rotting and over-ripened produce.
Grades, sorts and packs produce into containers.
Loads filled fruit and nut containers onto trucks.

Tools and technologies

Depending on the particular crop, fruit and nut farm workers may collect produce by hand, using secateurs, or with specialised harvesting machines. They will also drive tractors and other farm equipment as directed by the farmer or supervisor.

Once picked, produce may be collected in tubs, buckets, bags, bins or on trays. These workers will also be involved in cleaning and packing produce ready for shipping, which may also be done either by hand or with specialised machinery. Fruit and nut farm workers may also be required to work from ladders or on elevated work platforms.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Fruit or Nut Farm Worker without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II in production horticulture or agriculture might be helpful.

Fruit and nut pickers harvest a range of fruit, nuts and berries, depending on the season and prepare produce for distribution. Fruit and nut pickers work at farms, market gardens and orchards all around Australia, from banana plantations, to vineyards and melon farms. They assess produce as it is picked, checking for ripeness and discarding any pieces that are over-ripened, or that show signs of rotting or disease. Depending on the particular crop and size of the operation, they may pick produce by hand or operate specialised harvesting machines. These workers may also carefully pack produce into boxes and containers, ready for shipping. Future Growth Static

Fruit and nut pickers work in diverse environments ranging from high-tech, large-scale operations to small family farms.

ANZSCO Description & ID: 841212: Harvests fruit and nuts and prepares produce for distribution. Fruit or Nut Farm Workers, and Grape Pickers are excluded from this occupation.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Enjoy practical work
Free from skin conditions and allergies to agricultural chemicals
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Able to work at heights
Able to work quickly and consistently for long periods of time
Willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Able to travel from property to property to pick fruit and nuts
Able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work
Reliable and motivated.

Fruit Pickers
Picking fruit
(Source: AgriLabour)

Duties and Tasks

Fruit and nut pickers may perform the following tasks:

select fruit and nuts for picking according to size and ripeness, and discard rotting and over-ripened produce
operate farm machinery to harvest nuts and fruit
Harvests fruits and nuts, such as cherries, strawberries, grapes, oranges, and pecans, according to method appropriate for type of fruit, by hand or using tools, such as shears, rubber mallet, pronged scoop, or hooked pole
Carries and positions work aids, such as ladders, canvas drop-cloths, and buckets. Selects fruit to be harvested, according to size, shape, and colour.
Grasps, twists, and pulls fruit, snips stems, and shakes trees and vines to separate crop from plant and places fruit into bags, buckets, or trays, exercising care to avoid plant and fruit damage.
Empties filled containers into collection boxes and bins.
May stand on ladders or elevated platforms, stoop over plants, or crawl along rows to reach fruit.
May measure fruit, using gages.
May pour fruit through screens when removing foreign matter, such as twigs and grasses.
May dump fruit from containers onto conveyors or load containers onto trucks or wagons.
May remove ladders, debris, boxes, and discarded fruit from fields and bogs to clean growing areas.
May collect fallen nuts into piles, using rake.
May carry and position irrigation pipes.
May be identified with tasks being performed, such as rhubarb trimming, cranberry screening, and walnut knocking.
load picked fruit and nuts into containers, taking care to avoid damage
drive tractors or other vehicles to deliver fruit and nuts to the packing shed
sort and pack produce
drive forklifts to load boxes of produce onto trucks

Fruit picking at night
(Source: ABC News)

Working conditions

Fruit and nut pickers generally work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Work conditions can range from hot and sunny, to cold, wet and windy, depending on the location and time of year but work usually continues in these conditions to ensure the harvest is completed on time. These workers are often paid according to the amount of produce they pick, so they must work quickly and for long hours, often from sunrise to sunset. The work can be physically demanding, as pickers will frequently climb up and down ladders and usually carry loads of produce as they pick. Gloves may be worn to protect hands from thorny branches.

Fruit and nut harvesting is seasonal work and pickers may need to travel great distances to find work, depending on the time of year. Some employers may provide food and accommodation, though this is generally very basic and pickers will more commonly arrange their own living arrangements.

Tools and technologies

Depending on the particular crop, fruit and nut pickers may collect produce by hand, using secateurs, or with specialised harvesting machines. Once picked, produce may be collected in tubs, buckets, bags, bins or on trays. In some cases, these workers will also be involved in cleaning and packing produce ready for shipping, which may also be done either by hand or with specialised machinery. Fruit and nut pickers may also be required to work from ladders or on elevated work platforms.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a fruit and vegetable picker without formal qualifications, but employers usually require Year 10. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

Employment Opportunities

Seasonal employment is available throughout Australia, with some demand usually met from local labour and regular workers who have been coming to the region over a number of years. Increasingly, there has been interest from backpackers who are working in Australia on holidays. Therefore, it is wise for outside labourers to have a firm offer of employment before travelling to the harvest areas.

Pickers are usually paid an hourly rate or an agreed amount based on how much produce they pick.

Critical Thinking Spot

Examine

Primary

What do you think of the findings in this article?

The Conversation 11 March 2019

Arborist	Agricultural Consultant	Agricultural Scientist	Agronomist
Beekeeper Beebroker	Biosecurity Officer	Botanist	Crop Farmer
Entomologist	Gardener	Greenkeeper	Horticulturalist
Horticultural Assistant	Landscape Architect	Olericulturist Vegetable Grower Vegetable Picker Vegetable Farm Worker	Primary Products Inspector
Viticulturalist	Winemaker