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Farm Assistant Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Perform all other duties as requested by Supervisor/Foreperson Assist technicians as needed Other duties as assigned. Foster Farms ACTION Guiding Principles Accountability: Deliver on commitments.

Perform all other duties as requested by Supervisor/Foreperson * Assist technicians as needed * Other duties as assigned. Foster Farms ACTION Guiding Principles * Accountability: Deliver on ...

Perform all other duties as requested by Supervisor/Foreperson * Assist technicians as needed * Other duties as assigned. Foster Farms ACTION Guiding Principles * Accountability: Deliver on ...

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Farm Assistant information

See Merced, CA salary details

$11

$18

$24

How much do farm assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for farm assistant in Merced, CA is $18.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $21.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a farm assistant?

A farm assistant works closely with the farmer and other farm employees to assist with planting, harvesting, washing, packaging, and cleaning fresh produce. Your responsibilities include helping with weeding, pruning, plant and soil maintenance, seeding, and more. If the farm has animals, you also help with feeding, watering, and moving livestock as needed. Some jobs require you to help get the products to market, which involves talking with customers and leading volunteers. Other duties include training and supervising interns and keeping accurate records of all farm operations, such as seeding and harvesting schedules, pest and diseases, and management history. As a farm assistant, you use a variety of hand tools and machinery to complete your tasks, so you should be familiar with basic agriculture equipment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a farm assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Farm Assistant, you need practical knowledge of agriculture, basic animal care, and physical stamina, often gained through hands-on experience or vocational training. Familiarity with farm machinery, irrigation systems, and safety procedures is commonly required. Strong teamwork, reliability, and problem-solving abilities help you adapt to changing tasks and weather conditions. These skills are crucial for ensuring efficient farm operations and maintaining the health and productivity of crops and livestock.

What are some common challenges a farm assistant might face during peak seasons?

During peak seasons, such as planting or harvest time, Farm Assistants often experience longer working hours, physically demanding tasks, and the need to adapt quickly to changing weather conditions. Coordination with other team members becomes crucial to ensure that tasks like irrigation, crop monitoring, and machinery operation are completed efficiently. Flexibility and strong communication skills are valuable, as priorities can shift rapidly based on the farm's needs and unexpected situations like equipment breakdowns.

What is the difference between Farm Assistant vs Farm Worker?

AspectFarm AssistantFarm Worker
CredentialsMay require basic agricultural training or certificationsTypically no formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentAssists with farm operations, often in organized settingsPerforms manual labor, often outdoors in fields or orchards
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in farms, ranches, and agricultural businessesUsed broadly across various farming operations

Farm Assistants generally have some basic training and assist with a variety of farm tasks, often working under supervision. Farm Workers perform manual labor, usually outdoors, with less emphasis on formal training. Both roles are vital in agricultural settings, but Farm Assistants often have slightly more responsibilities and may require certifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Farm jobs in Merced, CA?

The most popular types of Farm jobs in Merced, CA are:

What cities near Merced, CA are hiring for Farm Assistant jobs?

Cities near Merced, CA with the most Farm Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Farm Assistant job openings in Merced, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,791 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Assistant Ranch Drive-On - Monte Vista 3 Complex (Denair)

Foster Farms

Denair, CA • On-site

$18.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Foster Farms rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

309th of 440 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

About Foster Farms
At Foster Farms, our mission is creating great food and serving great moments. Our vision is to be the best
and most trusted food company, empowering and nourishing the lives of those we serve. We measure our
success by how well we protect and care for our team, our consumers, our animals, and our environment,
while delivering operational excellence and exceptional value to our customers.Essential Functions
Pay Rate: $18.25 per hour
(Additional $1.00 per hour for hours worked between 7:00pm and 11:59pm. Additional $2.00 per hour for hours worked between 12:00am-4:59am)
  • Contribute to, assist and relieve the Ranch Manager to oversee all ranch activities and functions of assigned fryer ranch activities and functions.
  • Assist manager to direct the grow out program of fryers through the setup of the ranch, brooding, temperatures, ventilation, mortality, vaccinations, medications, so that conditions are maintained to meet the highest possible level of quality and productivity.
  • Assist in maintaining the ranch facilities and equipment for optimal usage and good appearance: arranging with the maintenance department for needed materials and service calls. Follow, assist and enforce to maintain strict sanitation conditions and disease protection procedures, and being constantly aware of the bird's health. Report any abnormalities to the Manager or Field Supervisor. React responsibly to emergencies that could adversely affect the chickens, day or night.
  • Assist Ranch Manager to manage and control all ranch production costs, to include all labor, fuel, supply, utility, medication, and ranch maintenance costs.
  • Assist with maintaining accurate and complete records pertaining to all ranch activities, i.e., feed, mortality, fuel, production, and energy consumption.
  • Assist Ranch Manager to provide proper training and delegation of duties to all ranch personnel.
  • Adhere to and enforce company safety, animal welfare and disease prevention guidelines.
  • Maintain a high awareness of industrial safety and report any problem(s) directly to Field Supervisor.

Qualifications
  • Must have completed the Chicken Grow Out Training Program.
  • Preferably, will have poultry raising experience.
  • Must be self-motivated and able to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
  • Must possess supervisory and leadership skills.
  • Must have good mathematical and organizational skills.
  • Must have good written and verbal communication skills (Basic English).
  • Must be able to move and lift 50 pounds.
  • Preferably, will have a mechanical aptitude.
  • Must be willing and able to respond as necessary to alarms and adverse conditions affecting the chickens.
  • Must be able to work as scheduled/needed to include overtime, evenings, holidays and weekends.
  • Must be able to follow and enforce company standards, guidelines and policies on anyone working on his/her ranch complex.
  • Must have the ability to work at other ranches/complexes as needed.

Foster Farms ACTION Guiding Principles
  • Accountability: Deliver on commitments.
  • Collaboration: Achieve more by working as a team.
  • Truth-Seeking: Be open-minded and act with humility.
  • Initiative: Be proactive and lead with a growth mindset.
  • Ownership: Take responsibility for results.
  • Nimble: Operate with speed and agility.

Why Join Foster Farms?
This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the future of the ready-to-eat business at a leading food company,
directly supporting our mission, vision, and values. You will play a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality
food and great moments for millions of families.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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