Fruit Grower

Brett Barkema 8-A

Salary: $43,230 Annual Average Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Job Availability: Slight to declining growth Location of Jobs: All across the U.S. in fruit growing regions. Especially strong in Florida, California, Michigan, Oregon and Washington. General Information: Fruit growers plants, cultivate and harvest fruit on rented or owned land. Income depends on sales and markets. Career Information: Fruit Growers are farmers who produce fruits for the grocery industry. Growing fruit can be fascinating and fun. Selecting a variety suited to the climate, and planting where it is protected from wind, is important. Early spring planting is recommended. Pruning renews tree growth and health, and encourages better production of high quality fruit. There are two main factors to keep in mind as you prune. First, prune the trees so more light will get through the leaf cover during the next growing season. This means "opening up" the tree canopy. A fruit tree normally begins to bear fruit after it becomes old enough to blossom freely, provided other conditions are favorable. Tree health and environment, bearing habit, and the cultural practices used can all directly influence its ability to produce fruit. Most nursery-produced fruit trees have tops that are one to two years old. The length of time required for them to bear fruit after planting varies with the kind of fruit. Apples usually bear fruit in 4-7 years while plums may bear as early as the third season after planting. All fruit trees require pollination to produce fruit. Unless pollination takes place, trees canblossom abundantly but not bear. Bees are necessary for cross-pollination between two different tree fruit varieties.High winds, steady rainfall or cold temperatures can reduce bee movement during the flowering period. Consequently,poor pollination may occur under adverse weather conditions, resulting in poor fruit set. Cross-pollination is required for most tree fruits. Therefore, it is essential to plant two or three different varieties to insure fruitfulness. Extremely low temperatures during winter dormancy may kill or damage fruit buds. In addition, spring frosts during the flowering period may also drastically reduce fruit set. Fruit trees that are grown near large shade trees are often poor producers. They are best planted in an area that receives full sun and less root competition from other trees. Over fertilization (especially nitrogen fertilizers) will cause fruit trees to grow vigorously with delayed flowering. This can be overcome by allowing grass or weeds to compete with your trees for soil nutrients. Weeds should be mowed before going to seed. Educational Requirements: 2 year degree Suggested High School/Collegiate Courses:

Agriculture, botany, horticulture, family and consumer sciences, business, and comput Salary: $43,230 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) Location of Jobs: All across the U.S. in fruit growing regions. Especially strong in Florida, California, Michigan, Oregon and Washington. Working Conditions: The work of farm operators and managers is often strenuous, their work hours are frequently long, and their days off are sometimes infrequent. Of those who worked full time, half worked 60 or more hours a week. Nevertheless, to those who enter farming, th Job Availability: Slight to declining growth Skills Necessary: Oral Communications, Interpersonal, Highly Motivated, Organizational, Dependable, Decision Making, Computer Skills, Written Communications, Self-Motivated, Management, Detail Oriented, Sales, Basic Business Principles, Responsible, Goal Oriented, Customer Service, Negotiating, Orderly Minded, Outgoing Personality, Motivational Related Careers: Account Executive, Agriculturalist, Citrus Grower, Diversified Crop Farmer, Forest Products Merchandiser, Fruit Grower, Grain Merchandiser, Orchard Supervisor, Pomologist, Produce Buyer, Sales Manager, Tree and Vine Fruit Grower