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Internship Fruit Orchard Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Internship Fruit Orchard information

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$8

$15

$21

How much do internship fruit orchard jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship fruit orchard in the United States is $15.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship fruit orchard?

Internship Fruit Orchard positions are temporary roles designed for students or individuals seeking hands-on experience in fruit orchard management and operations. Interns typically assist with tasks such as planting, pruning, harvesting, pest management, and irrigation under the supervision of experienced orchard staff. These internships provide valuable insight into agricultural practices, sustainable farming techniques, and the day-to-day challenges of running a fruit orchard. Participants often gain practical skills, industry knowledge, and networking opportunities that can support future careers in agriculture or horticulture.

What kind of hands-on experience can I expect during an internship at a fruit orchard?

During a Fruit Orchard Internship, you will gain practical experience in areas such as planting, pruning, harvesting, and pest management. Interns often participate in daily orchard operations, learn about irrigation techniques, and monitor crop health under the guidance of experienced staff. You'll also have the opportunity to collaborate with other team members on quality control and post-harvest handling, providing a well-rounded introduction to orchard management. This experience is ideal for those interested in sustainable agriculture or pursuing a long-term career in horticulture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship fruit orchard?

To thrive in a Fruit Orchard Internship, you need a basic understanding of horticulture, plant care, and agricultural practices, often supported by coursework in agriculture or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as pruning shears, irrigation systems, and farm management software can be advantageous. Strong work ethic, attention to detail, teamwork, and a willingness to learn are key soft skills that help interns excel. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining orchard health, supporting efficient operations, and gaining valuable hands-on experience in fruit production.

What is the difference between Internship Fruit Orchard vs Fruit Farm Worker?

AspectInternship Fruit OrchardFruit Farm Worker
CredentialsNone required, often students or entry-levelNone required, manual labor
Work EnvironmentSupervised, educational setting in orchardsFieldwork, outdoor, physically demanding
Employer & IndustryAgro-education programs, farms, orchardsFarming companies, agricultural industry

Internship Fruit Orchard positions are typically educational, offering training and experience in orchard management, while Fruit Farm Workers focus on manual labor and harvesting. Both roles are outdoor, seasonal, and involve working in orchards, but internships emphasize learning, whereas farm workers perform hands-on tasks.

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Infographic showing various Internship Fruit Orchard job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 58% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,333 per year, or $15.5 per hour.

Spring/Summer 2027 Field Operations and Grower Representative Intern - Oxnard, CA

The J.M. Smucker Company

Oxnard, CA • On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


J.M. Smucker rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 443 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Your Opportunity as a Field Operations & Grower Representative Intern
As an intern within our operations department, you will work closely with the processing manager to ensure coordination of field fruit deliveries. You will ensure proper contact and relationships with the growers in order to get harvested freezer fruit delivered to the processing plant and/or receiving station as quickly as possible.
Location: Oxnard, CA
Work Arrangements: Onsite, 100% of the time
In this role you will:
  • Determine daily crate volume by obtaining early morning on-site ranch estimates. Adjusts estimates throughout afternoon re-check of harvesting ranches. Immediately reports any significant volume changes.
  • Obtains, records, and passes information to processing manager and plant manager on probable next day crate volume.
  • Advises the plant manager and QC manager immediately when poor quality (soft, catfacing, contamination, etc.) is evident on any particular grower's ranch.
  • Assures that all crates and pallets are distributed to the growers on an as-needed basis to prevent grower stockpiling.
  • At season's end, assures all crates and pallets are returned to the Oxnard plant yard for storage, inventory, and repair.
  • Obtain pesticide reports from the growers when requested and deliver to the Plant Manager.
  • Maintain proper inventories of crate and pallets at receiving stations. Assures crates and pallets are cleaned properly prior to grower distribution.
  • Works with Oxnard plant supervisor/office personnel on any grower weight tag/ grading sheet discrepancies. Delivers and explains corrected documentation to the growers.
  • Schedule trucking to pick up fruit from the receiving stations for timely delivery to the Oxnard plant.
  • Works with our growers to ensure all of their daily deliveries are made early enough to permit same day processing.
  • Addresses any and all other concerns/problems as directed by the Plant Manager.
  • Works with Oxnard processing manager to establish daily production schedule.
  • Coordinates distribution of raw fruit.
  • Records yield data from experimental varieties and other research plots.
  • Take fruit samples as needed for lab evaluation.
  • Conducts special tests, evaluations, and projects as requested by the QC Manager.
  • Visually observes plant development and records.
  • Inspects daily and audit grower field Good Agricultural Practices monthly using Field Sanitation Check list. Immediately follows up on deficiencies.
  • Other duties as required.

What we are looking for:
  • Be currently enrolled in a 4-year degree program, Food Science, Logistics or Agri-Business major highly desired
  • Ability to read, write and speak Spanish required
  • Available in late March through the end of August.
  • Able to work weekends, overtime, and night shifts.
  • Excellent communication skills and leadership skills.

Compensation:
  • Pay range: $23/hr. to $25/hr.
  • Housing allowance (for applicable students)

Application Period:
  • Application period closes on December 15, 2026

Why Choose the J.M. Smucker Company's Internship Program?
Are you seeking an exceptional internship experience at a Fortune 500 company? At Smucker, we are dedicated to providing a world-class, award-winning internship that offers you the opportunity to:
  • Learn: Unlock your potential in a collaborative and supportive environment where you are treated like a true peer and challenged to be your best.
  • Grow: Benefit from hands-on training with a dedicated mentor and connect with peers and leaders throughout the company.
  • Lead: Contribute to high-profile projects that support our Company's growing categories like snacks, coffee and pet food.

Additional Perks:
Along with engaging work, we offer a variety of benefits to ensure your internship is both rewarding and memorable. These include:
  • Unique opportunities to network and interact with company leadership
  • Customized professional development sessions
  • Networking events and social outings with fellow interns
  • Access to a fully equipped fitness center, complete with a basketball court, indoor walking track, and recreational league sports
  • The Orchard, our gourmet cafeteria, offering breakfast and lunch with seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients
  • A competitive compensation package, including paid corporate holidays
  • Employee discounts at our Company Store
  • A housing stipend for interns relocating for the program

Experience an internship where you can learn, grow, and lead - all while being part of something special at Smucker.
Learn more about working at Smucker:
  • Our Internship Program
  • Delivering on Our Purpose
  • Our Continued Commitment to Ensuring a Workplace for All

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The Right Place for You
We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

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