Job Information
Black Gold Farms Inc Agricultural Equipment Operators in East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Job Duties
Start Date: 04/01/2026
End Date: 05/24/2026
Hours: 40 hours/week, Mon.-Fri. 7 hours/day, Sat. 5 hours/day, 7:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Due to the complexity of the weather & crop conditions, workers may be requested to work long days, as well as Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays, depending on the field conditions, potato quality, customer demands, and weather conditions. Hours above 40 hours per week may be offered, are voluntary, but are not guaranteed.
Must Apply By: 04/28/2026
Job duties include, but are not limited to, the preparation of potato seed prior to planting, including unloading, grading, sizing, cutting, treating, and suberizing seed potatoes. This process involves operating conveyors, unloaders, skid steers (bobcats), forklifts, seed treatment equipment, and seed cutting machines. Workers will sort, size, and grade potatoes by hand, removing green, rotten, or otherwise low-quality potatoes as they move along conveyors. Duties also include cleaning potato storage bins and applying seed treatment to seed potatoes.
Workers must notify supervisors of any potato quality concerns and use skid steers to unload seed potatoes, move them around the farm, and place them in designated storage areas, ensuring proper organization and preventing mixing of lots. Responsibilities include loading potato seed into transport equipment, monitoring seed while awaiting planting, and safely loading and unloading hoppers, containers, and trailers with potatoes. Workers will attach trailers and safely drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, and tools in accordance with established safety standards and proper vehicle operation procedures.
Additional duties include weighing crop-filled containers, recording weights and required identifying information, and performing repairs and routine maintenance on seed preparation equipment. Workers will operate agricultural equipment to prepare land for planting, including disks and chisel plows, attach tractor implements, and troubleshoot equipment. Operation of potato planters and related technology is required, including GPS guidance systems, autosteer, planter monitors, and harvest monitors.
Other responsibilities include performing general maintenance and basic welding on potato equipment as needed, reporting all equipment repair needs and operational issues to the supervisor, and completing general site cleanup and farm work as assigned. All tools necessary to perform job duties will be provided at no cost to the worker.
Employer maintains a drug, and alcohol-free workplace. Post-hire drug testing is required at no cost to the worker.
Minimum Education Required
No High School Diploma or GED required.
Minimum Experience Required
Worker must have 3 months of experience performing maintenance on agricultural equipment & operating equipment within the past 2 years.
Worker must have 3 months of experience working with potatoes.
Worker must have 3 months of experience operating a bobcat, forklift, tractors, wash line equipment, and other general agriculture equipment.
Worker must have a valid Class D Driver’s License or be able to obtain one upon hire.
Worker must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Worker must be able to perform work that requires exposure to extreme temperatures and weather conditions, extensive pushing or pulling, sitting or walking, frequent stooping or bending over, and repetitive movements.
Shift
First (Day)
Number of Openings
6
Public Transportation Accessible
No
Veterans Encouraged to Apply
Yes
Physical Required
No
Drug Test Required
Yes
Compensation
$19.33 / Hourly
Additional Compensation
As required for all workers in Minnesota, hours worked in excess of 48 hours in a work week will be paid at the rate of 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.
Postal Code
56721
Place of Work
On-site
Requisition ID
H-2A#26-268
Job Type
Full Time
Job Benefits
EMPLOYER ASSURANCES: Work guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period, starting with date of arrival at work site. Employer provides free housing for workers whose residence is beyond normal commuting distance. Employer pays inbound transportation and subsistence to work site upon 50% completion of work contract for workers whose residence is beyond normal commuting distance. Daily subsistence will be provided at a rate of at least $16.28 per day during travel to a maximum of $68.00 per day with receipts. Required work-related tools and supplies provided free of charge by employer.
Effective Jan 1, 2024, per MN State Statute, an employee will earn one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours of accrued Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) per year, provided the employee works a minimum of 80 hours in a calendar year.
Application Instructions
Send resume listing experience to:
MN DEED/FLC
Attn: H-2A#26-268
180 E. 5th St., Suite 1200, St. Paul, MN 55101
FAX: 651-297-7722
EMAIL: foreignlaborcertification.DEED@state.mn.us
CALL: Mary Garcia 651-259-7513
Must have proof of legal authority to work in U.S.