Job Information
Varner's Tree Farm & Cidermill, Ltd. Christmas Tree Farm Worker in Montoursville, Pennsylvania
3 Full Time Seasonal H-2A Jobs available 3/30/2026 - 12/15/2026.
Crops/Commodities: Christmas trees, hay, straw and pumpkins; cattle, horses. Primary duties (performed the majority of workdays): Workers will perform heavy manual field work including but not limited to planting, cultivating, harvesting/cutting and baling Christmas trees on a tree farm. Selects trees for cutting according to markings or size, species and grade and fells trees using axe or chain saw. Drags cut trees from cutting area, runs trees through tree baler. Workers will take inventory and grade trees, prepare trees for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary. Hand dig trees (with shovel), or assist in digging with tree spade. Lift, carry and load trees onto trucks for transport. May drive pickup trucks or tractors to transport trees from the field to central loading area. Unload, move or load trees, nursery stock and/or supplies.
Prepare fields for planting by removing cull stock, debris, tree stumps, brush, ferns, vines and other growth from planting area using tractor, mattocks, brush hooks and/or axes. Plant seedlings or liners' by hand (including riding and inserting liners in a mechanical planter) using mattock or dibble. Straighten, tie, prune and hand-shear tops and limb tips from Christmas trees, as specified by supervisor, to control growth, increase limb density and improve shape. Shearing evergreens must be performed with proper taper and angle of bud cut for quality. Cut, pull or remove and mow weeds or grass. Weeds are to be removed by the root and not at ground level. Move irrigation equipment; apply agricultural chemicals: herbicides and insecticides, and apply fertilizer. Must be familiar with tree pests and insects that affect evergreen trees crops.
Workers will operate tractors, mowing machines and balers to mow, cut and bale hay and straw. Workers will load and stack bales onto a moving trailer and reload/restack the bales for storage. Workers must be able to repeatedly bend, stoop and lift 30-60 pound bales throughout a workday. Workers will plant, cultivate, harvest and load pumpkins, and feed farm animals, as needed.
Work will also include heavy mechanized field work using power equipment. By way of example and not limitation power equipment may include power shears, trimmers, chain saws, mowers and tractors. Workers must be able to perform all duties of entry level workers as well as perform additional mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency.
Workers with appropriate licenses may operate general purpose vehicles to transport workers, equipment and product from one field location or facility to another. Workers may be required to do any other manual tasks involved in the harvesting of evergreen trees and the maintenance of tree nurseries and fields, and repair and maintenance of equipment.
Work is performed as a member of a crew under close supervision of a field supervisor. Instructions and general supervision will be provided by a designated lead worker or company supervisor. Field workers will be expected to perform their general duties in a timely and proficient manner without close supervision. Workers must obey all safety rules and basic instructions and be able to recognize, understand and comply with safety, pesticide warning/re-entry and other essential postings.
Requirements:
- 3 months experience in duties listed
- Lifting requirement 100 lbs.
- Post-hire drug screen
- Exposure to extreme temperatures
- Extensive Pushing or Pulling
- Extensive sitting or walking
- Frequent stooping or bending over
- Repetitive movements
The full terms and conditions of the job (form ETA790a) should be reviewed and provided to qualified applicants from this website: seasonaljobs.dol.gov