Supervisor: Al Lively
About Wenke Greenhouses:
Wenke Greenhouses is a large, family owned, vertically integrated production greenhouse established over 70 years ago. We have four locations in Kalamazoo, MI and a sister company in Douglas, GA. We grow and sell flowers year-round. Our main crops are annual bedding plants, home-use vegetables, perennials, poinsettias, and indoor plants. These crops are sold to garden centers, hardware stores and landscapers throughout the Midwest; the Kalamazoo Flower Group (broker), as well as starter plants to other growers. We also have a successful retail store servicing Kalamazoo.
We are an industry leader producing flowers that make people happier and healthier. We are known by our customers for quality and being the easiest company to do business with. We focus on efficiency and continuous improvement. We value our employees and offer the opportunity for a positive work/life balance.
General Information about Job:
This job is directly involved with watering and other tasks needed to grow the crop. The Section Grower has the primary responsibilities for the plants in a 1-3 acre section of the greenhouse. Plants require care 7 days/week and some tasks can only be done after hours. Growing is a unique, skilled trade that develops from hands-on experience combined with educational opportunities.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Watering and fertilizing the crop by hand-watering with a hose, boom, and/or drip irrigation
- Chemical applications (plant growth regulators, insecticides, fungicides, etc.)
- Soil testing to determine crop pH/EC
- Use of beneficial bugs to replace pesticides where possible
- Disease/pest scouting and prevention
- Understand how environmental controls for light, shade, vents, temperatures affect crop growth
- Communication about crop care including pinching, spacing, statuses
- Facility/equipment maintenance
Schedule/Work Hours (varies depending on section):
- Full-Time; year-round
- Additional hours including weekends and evenings expected during peak season (March-May)
- Opportunity for extended time-off available during non-peak season if desired
Skills Needed to be Successful:
- Ability to look at the crop and identify what needs to be done
- Ability to mix and apply chemicals correctly
- Ability to follow through on direction given
- Physical ability to be on feet 8-10 hours per day/7 days per week, frequent bending and lifting
- Mechanical skills beneficial
- Ability to speak Spanish helpful
- Pesticide certification helpful
Experience Required:
- 3+ years of prior growing experience with annuals
- Experience growing perennials a plus
Compensation:
- Hourly rate based on experience and responsibilities. Minimum of $20 per hour and increases with additional experience.
- Health, dental, vacation and sick time available if working full-time
- Excellent 401K available after 6 months of employment
- Plant discounts
Send Resume to Judy.hammer@wenkegreenhouses.com or apply in person at 2525 North 30th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.
