What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agronomist position at Bonipak Companies?
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Agronomy team is responsible for identifying pests which may harm our crops and creating a pesticide spray program to suppress/control them. They also work alongside the ranch and lab manager to help increase yield by adding additional fertilizer and/or soil amendments through foliar sprays and/or chemigations when needed. The Agronomist help Betteravia Farms stay in compliance by following the laws and regulations the California Department of Pesticide Regulations have established and ensure these rules are followed by all. In addition, the goal is creating high quality produce and keeping fields clear for harvest at the most efficient cost
POSITION OVERVIEW
Operating with a land base of 10,000 acres around the Santa Maria Valley, Betteravia Farms grows an array of commodities which includes leafy vegetables and brassicas. The Agronomist is responsible for monitoring pest pressure, plant, and soil health, along with implementing Sustainability and Integrated Pest Management programs. An Agronomist role is to find ways to improve plant health and quality with the goal to increase yields.
Essential Functions
Correctly identify vegetable diseases, insects, vertebrates, weeds, and other pests.
Monitor and scout fields for economic thresholds.
Write recommendations for controlling pests.
Evaluate chemical efficacy in fields.
Correctly use chemicals by learning labels.
Communicate with ranch managers to coordinate pesticide applications.
Work with harvesting supervisors to acquire the highest quality standards.
Supervise others on conducting chemical sprays.
Answer phone calls, emails, text messages for spray applications when needed.
Ability to prepare and work with a budget.
Responsible for monthly inventory.
Monitor pheromone traps for observing flights and populations.
Regulate and monitor field trials.
Environmental chemical hazard awareness.
Comply with California Department of Pesticide Regulations.
Update school notifications.
Continuing education to increase chemical knowledge and legislature updates.
Assist in the development of interns and new hires.
Understand soil management to implement soil amendments when needed for increasing plant health.
Collaborate with Ranch Managers to ensure crop fertility is optimum.
Other duties as assigned.