Philbin Orchards Inc. — Agricultural Employer

Employer Background

According to publicly available employment records, Philbin Orchards Inc. is an agricultural employer headquartered in sterling, Massachusetts. Federal documentation reflects job orders for Farmworkers and laborers crop positions at worksites located in WORCESTER COUNTY County, Massachusetts. The agricultural employment sector is subject to federal and state labor regulations that govern wage rates, working hours, and employment conditions for workers in these roles. Certification records associated with Philbin Orchards Inc. reference 2 workers in this classification.

Records describe the work associated with Philbin Orchards Inc. as falling under the Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse occupational classification. This encompasses a broad range of farm-related tasks common to agricultural operations in the region. The documented work period of April through October — approximately approximately 6 months — reflects the agricultural cycle characteristic of Massachusetts.

Wage records for Farmworkers and laborers crop positions at Philbin Orchards Inc. show a documented rate of $15.29 / hour. Employer-provided housing and transportation were listed as part of the compensation package, consistent with federal requirements governing this type of agricultural employment certification. The type of housing noted in the records is Employer. Meals were also documented as provided.

Worksite records for job orders filed by Philbin Orchards Inc. identify WORCESTER COUNTY County, Massachusetts as the primary location for these placements. Massachusetts is home to a diverse and substantial agricultural economy, with farming activity spanning numerous counties and varying across seasons and crop types. The employer's principal address on file is in sterling, Massachusetts.

H2A program certification indicates that the U.S. Department of Labor has determined there are not enough available domestic workers to fill the positions described in the employer's job order, and that the employment of temporary agricultural workers will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. The program requires employers to cover housing, transportation between housing and the worksite, and all tools and equipment needed to perform the job. Workers are also entitled to workers' compensation coverage and must be paid at least the applicable Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the state.

Job orders filed by Philbin Orchards Inc. included documented qualifications for applicants. The listed requirements noted an education level of None or equivalent and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. These reflect the physical demands and qualifications typically associated with Farmworkers and laborers crop work in the agricultural sector.