GROW Rotational Program

Heartland GROW Farm Rotational Development Program

If you are graduating High School or at the Technical College this year, do you have a clear direction you want to head as you start your career? Our GROW Farm Rotational Development Programs offer full-time, entry-level opportunities for those eager to enhance their professional and leadership abilities while discovering their true passions.

Participants in our GROW Farm Rotational Development Programs engage in a series of impactful and substantial rotations that directly influence our business operations, while simultaneously enhancing their functional expertise and cultivating personal leadership abilities. These programs typically span two years, featuring rotations that change with the seasons.

Participants in the GROW Farm Rotational Development Program are employees of Heartland Farms and are eligible for various company benefits, including medical and dental insurance, a 401k plan, and paid time off (PTO). This program offers valuable experience in areas such as agribusiness, agronomy, production supervision, and maintenance. You will enhance your understanding of the company, its plant operations, and supplier management, while also cultivating skills in communication, networking, and project management.

Core Responsibilities:

• Support commercial crop production through scouting and hands-on field work.
  • Evaluate plant maturity, including sugar testing and yield forecasting for crops
  • Monitor soil conditions and develop irrigation schedules.
  • Utilize resources and data to establish pest management strategies.
  • Assist in the development of fertilizer recommendations.
  • Provide Seed Cutting/Planting/Harvesting assistance, as needed. May include scooping, pilling, dispatching trucks, etc.
  • Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned, as needed, to produce a high quality, profitable crop.

• Farm Equipment and Maintenance, assist in operation and general maintenance of production machines and equipment.
  • To provide off season light repair and maintenance of farm vehicles and farm equipment and machinery.
  • Assist with diagnosing problems with equipment. 
  • Inspects and measures parts to detect wear, misalignment, or other problems
  • Assist with installing new technology on equipment, including GPS.
  • Starts machines and equipment to test operation following repair.
  • To operate and maintain tillage, planting, cultivation, harvesting and storage/handling equipment.
  • To provide routine preventative maintenance on all equipment and machinery as directed.
  • To inventory and assess the need for parts and supplies pertaining to farm equipment
  • To perform premises maintenance such as snowplowing & road grading.
• Storage Operations and Maintenance, a critical role in order to deliver a high-quality potato crop to our customers. 
  • Ensure the effective operation of our potato storage systems.
  • Responsible for monitoring, adjusting, maintaining and repairing our state-of-the-art potato storage facilities.
  • Perform duties to assist install and maintain storage equipment in-season, including emergency/unscheduled repairs of equipment.
  • Ensure that cooling units maintain nominal capacities by monitoring and assisting diagnostics for storage system performance issues.
  • Assist with replacing or repairing parts, testing and making adjustments on equipment in the storage bins.
  • Partner with Supervisor on maintenance planning and Technician assignments.
• Irrigation Operation Support, responsible for taking the lead on daily operations of irrigation equipment.
  • Completes equipment inspections, routine and assist with scheduled maintenance, and related documentation.
  • Daily operation, maintenance and repair of the irrigation equipment.
    • Coordinate fertigation and irrigation adjustments as requested.
    • Calibration of equipment and products used.
    • Detect faulty operations, defective material and report those to the supervisor.
• Working with Heartland Leadership, assist in the development of best production and agronomic practices to optimize yields, quality, and efficiency:
  • Shadow Farm Management to assist in the design, implementation and evaluation of all farm field production operations. This will include planning of farm staff, farm machinery and equipment, outside purveyors of equipment, supplies, land, and other agricultural products.
  • Assist with storage management and bruise-free handling program.
  • Contribute to the success of the farm through the study and implementation of new processes and practices from seed cutting through harvesting.
  • Collaborate with the Research Agronomy and Irrigation Teams to identify and provide insights into key production and storage issues.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Positive attitude, forward thinking and eagerness to learn
• Openness to new ideas and new technology implementation. Looking for a self-motivated, self-starter with an interest in production agriculture.
• Individuals who are dedicated to undertaking all essential measures to accomplish tasks that aid and support the team in achieving their objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of Associates OR Technical Program in Agriculture such as, Agronomy, Agricultural Business, Environmental Science, Biology, Agricultural Studies or related field.
• Completion of technical or certificate program in Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, Diesel Equipment or related field. 
• Prefer plant to harvest experience.
• Experience in agronomy, irrigation, mechanics, precision and/or spray application.
• Mechanical aptitude; knowledge of hand or power tools, strength in mechanics and/or maintenance preferred.

Heartland Farms Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.