Department of Horticulture

Young Plant Section Grower

Hiring Organization: Wenke Greenhouses
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Kalamazoo Michigan
Application Due Date: November 8, 2024

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, landscapers throughout the Midwest, and the Kalamazoo Flower Group (broker). We sell young 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 position is located at our Market Street location. The Young Plant Section Grower is primarily responsible for plants in a 1-3 acre section of the greenhouse. Daily tasks include watering, chemical applications and other tasks needed to grow the young plant crop. Plants require care seven 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, boom and/or drip irrigation.

· Chemical applications (plant growth regulators, pesticides, etc.)

· Soil testing to determine pH, EC and nutrients available to the crop.

· Use of beneficial bugs to replace pesticides where possible

· Disease/pest scouting and prevention

· Environmental controls for light, shade, vents, temperatures

· 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 (Dec-May)

· Opportunity for extended time-off available during non-peak season, if desired

· Participation in a weekend rotation

Skills Needed to be Successful:

· Ability to look at the crop and identify what needs to be done, under the direction of the Head Grower

· Ability to mix and apply chemicals correctly

· Ability to follow through when given direction

· Physical ability to be on feet 8-10 hours per day/7 days per week, frequent bending & lifting

· Mechanical skills beneficial

· Ability to speak Spanish helpful

· Pesticide certification helpful

Experience Preferred:

· 3+ years of prior growing experience with annuals or perennials

· Experience growing young plants, plugs and liners, a plus

Compensation:

· Hourly rate based on experience and responsibilities. Minimum of $20+ per hour, depending on level of experience.

· Health, dental, vacation, PTO and 401K available if working full-time

· Plant discounts

Send Resume to Roberholtzer@wenkegreenhouses.com or apply in person at 2525 N.30th St, Kalamazoo, 49048.

Apply