Grape Grower Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity

Best Boy Farms is looking for an experienced Grower to lead crop production at our commercial greenhouse facility in Mason City, Iowa. The Grower will have overall responsibility for crop health and performance, from planting and crop establishment through harvest and crop removal.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands the relationship between the plant, greenhouse climate, irrigation, nutrition, labor and production results. The successful candidate will be comfortable making daily technical decisions, leading a growing team and using crop and environmental data to improve yield, quality and consistency.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute growing strategies for each crop variety and greenhouse section.
• Monitor crop health, plant balance, fruit load, quality, root-zone conditions and production performance.
• Manage climate strategies, including temperature, humidity, ventilation, light, shading, heating and carbon dioxide.
• Develop and adjust irrigation and fertigation programs based on crop stage, plant demand and weather conditions.
• Monitor nutrient levels, electrical conductivity, pH, drain percentages and irrigation timing.
• Lead the integrated pest management program, including scouting, biological controls, disease prevention and crop hygiene.
• Identify crop concerns early and implement practical corrective action.
• Lead and develop Growers, IPM employees and other assigned team members.
• Communicate crop-work priorities to labor and operations teams and monitor the quality and timing of work.
• Prepare crop forecasts and maintain accurate growing, climate, irrigation and production records.
• Analyze crop and production data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with maintenance, operations, food safety and leadership to support a safe and efficient greenhouse operation.
• Develop and maintain growing procedures and support continuous improvement initiatives.

What You Bring

• At least five years of progressive commercial greenhouse vegetable-growing experience.
• Strong knowledge of greenhouse climate, irrigation, fertigation, plant nutrition, crop balance and plant health.
• Experience with greenhouse tomatoes or another commercial high-wire vine crop.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose pest, disease, nutritional and environmental crop concerns.
• Experience leading employees or providing technical direction to a growing team.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using greenhouse climate-control and production software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other common business applications.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and participate in weekend, holiday and after-hours on-call coverage.
• Ability to reliably report to the Mason City facility.

Preferred Experience

• Direct experience growing cluster, cherry-on-the-vine or grape tomatoes.
• Degree or diploma in horticulture, plant science, agronomy, controlled-environment agriculture or a related field.
• Experience with Priva or comparable climate-control systems.
• Experience managing biological pest-control programs.
• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.

Work Environment

This is a hands-on greenhouse position. The work environment may be hot, humid, wet or cold depending on the season and greenhouse conditions. Bumblebees, beneficial insects, crop pests, pollen and plant materials may be present.

The position involves regular walking and standing throughout the greenhouse, working around greenhouse equipment and occasionally lifting or moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Paid vacation and paid holidays
• A key leadership role in a commercial greenhouse operation
• The opportunity to influence crop strategy, team development and future improvements

Apply

Best Boy Farms is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees during the hiring process and employment.