Primary Sector

How to Become a General Farm Worker (Various Tasks: Fields, Animals, Maintenance) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook

by Occupations.ca Team
10 min read

Do you enjoy working outdoors, staying active, and seeing the results of your work grow right in front of you? If you want a hands-on job that matters to Ontario’s food supply, a career as a General Farm Worker could be a great fit for you.

Job Description

General Farm Workers Support the daily operations of Ontario’s farms. You may work on large or small family farms, in greenhouses, orchards, dairy barns, poultry operations, or field crop enterprises. Your work helps produce food, feed, and plants that communities across the province rely on.

You’ll be part of the Primary Sector, which includes jobs on the land and with animals. The role is broad: you might prepare fields, plant and harvest crops, feed and care for livestock, maintain equipment, and keep barns, pens, greenhouses, and yards clean and safe. You will work closely with farm owners, managers, and other workers. In busy seasons, you may also interact with buyers, veterinarians, agronomists, and service technicians.

Daily work activities

Your day depends on the type of farm and the season. Field crop work ramps up in spring and fall. Livestock duties are steady year-round. Greenhouse and mushroom operations run every month of the year.

You might:

  • Start the day by checking animals, feed, and water systems.
  • Set up irrigation and monitor soil moisture.
  • Operate tractors and implements for planting, cultivation, or harvest.
  • Sort and pack produce to meet Buyer or food Safety standards.
  • Repair fencing, gates, pens, and simple equipment.
  • Monitor greenhouse climate and plant health.
  • Clean barns, milking parlours, or storage areas to maintain biosecurity.
  • Record basic data (yields, animal health checks, inputs used).
  • Follow safety procedures, including WHMIS and PPE use.

Main tasks

  • Operate and maintain Farm Machinery and tools (tractors, loaders, seeders, harvesters, sprayers).
  • Seed, transplant, prune, weed, irrigate, and harvest field and greenhouse crops.
  • Sort, grade, wash, package, and label produce for shipment or market.
  • Care for livestock: feeding, bedding, moving, assisting with milking, monitoring health.
  • Maintain barns, pens, fences, and water systems; repair simple mechanical issues.
  • Clean and disinfect work areas to meet biosecurity and food safety standards.
  • Load and unload materials (feed, seed, fertilizer), keep storage areas organized.
  • Follow farm safety rules and environmental best practices (spill Prevention, waste handling).
  • Keep basic logs (tasks completed, inputs used, equipment checks).

Required Education

You can start as a General Farm Worker with little formal education, as many skills are learned on the job. However, certificates and diplomas help you work safely, progress faster, and qualify for better pay or supervisory roles. Employers in Ontario value short courses and college programs that cover safety, equipment operation, crops, and animal care.

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Diplomas and certificates

  • Certificate (short courses, a few days to a few months)
    • Examples: First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, forklift or telehandler operation (site-specific), Ontario Pesticide Safety certification (if you mix/apply pesticides), confined space awareness, livestock handling, biosecurity Training.
  • College Diploma (1–2 years)
    • Examples: Agriculture, Horticulture Technician, Sustainable Agriculture, Greenhouse Technician, Agri-Business.
  • Bachelor’s Degree (3–4 years)
    • Examples: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or related fields for those who want to move up to Management, agri-technology, or farm ownership.

Length of studies

  • Certificates: 1 day to several weeks (self-study plus exam, or practical training).
  • College Diploma: 2 years (some 1-year certificates or accelerated programs exist).
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Typically 4 years.

Where to study? (Ontario schools and useful links)

Useful Ontario resources:

Salary and Working Conditions

Salary in Ontario

Pay varies with the type of farm, region, season, and your experience. Many roles are hourly with overtime during peak seasons.

  • Entry-level: approximately $16–$18 per hour.
  • Experienced: often $20–$25+ per hour, especially if you operate equipment, supervise crews, or handle specialized tasks (e.g., spraying, greenhouse climate systems, advanced livestock care).

Some employers offer non-wage Benefits such as farm housing, produce, work gear, or performance bonuses during harvest. Winter work may be steadier on livestock or greenhouse farms and more variable on field crop farms.

For current wage and outlook information, check the Government of Canada’s Job Bank and search “General farm worker” in Ontario:

Working conditions

  • Hours: Expect early mornings, occasional evenings, and weekend or holiday work—especially with animals and during planting/harvest. Hours can increase during peak seasons.
  • Weather: Outdoor work in heat, cold, wind, and rain. Proper clothing and hydration are essential.
  • Physical demands: Lifting, bending, standing, and repetitive tasks. Good fitness helps.
  • Safety: Farms use machinery and chemicals; you must follow safety procedures (guarding, lockout, chemical labels, PPE, animal handling protocols).
  • Employment Standards: Agriculture has some special rules under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (e.g., different rules for hours of work and overtime in certain situations). Review the provincial guide and ask your employer about how it applies to your role:
  • Health and safety rights: You have the right to know about hazards, participate in health and safety, and refuse unsafe work under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act:
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Job outlook in Ontario

Ontario has a strong and diverse agriculture sector—grains and oilseeds in the southwest and east, dairy and livestock across many regions, and major greenhouse and horticulture hubs in areas like Niagara and Leamington-Kingsville. Demand for reliable General Farm Workers remains steady due to:

  • Seasonal labour peaks in planting and harvest.
  • Growth in greenhouse and specialty crops.
  • Year-round livestock operations (dairy, poultry, swine).
  • Replacement needs as experienced workers retire.

Check the federal Job Bank for updated outlooks by region (searchable by occupation and province):

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Reliability and work ethic: Farms run on tight schedules; livestock and plants need consistent care.
  • Teamwork and communication: You’ll coordinate tasks with owners, managers, and co-workers.
  • Adaptability: Weather, equipment, and biological systems change quickly; you must adjust.
  • Attention to detail: Food safety, biosecurity, and quality standards matter.
  • Problem-solving: Diagnosing issues with plants, animals, or equipment saves time and money.
  • Safety mindset: Recognize hazards and follow procedures to protect yourself and others.
  • Time management: Balance multiple tasks in busy seasons; prioritize safely and efficiently.

Hard skills

  • Equipment operation: Tractors, loaders, forklifts/telehandlers, harvesters, seeders, sprayers.
  • Crop production: Soil preparation, planting, irrigation, pruning, pest scouting, harvesting.
  • Livestock care: Feeding, bedding, moving animals, basic health checks, milking procedures.
  • Greenhouse operations: Climate control basics, fertigation, sanitation, IPM (integrated pest management).
  • Pesticide safety: Reading labels, PPE, handling; certification may be required for application.
  • Basic mechanics and Maintenance: Greasing, simple repairs, changing parts, hand and power tool use.
  • Record-keeping: Logging tasks, inputs, and quality checks for food safety and traceability.
  • Food safety and biosecurity: Cleaning and disinfecting, preventing contamination and disease spread.
  • WHMIS and PPE use: Recognizing hazard symbols, safe handling and storage of chemicals.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

  • Active, outdoor work that keeps you fit and engaged.
  • Meaningful impact on local food and agriculture.
  • Hands-on learning; skills grow quickly with experience.
  • Variety: Different tasks by season and farm type.
  • Pathways forward: Move into equipment operation, greenhouse specialization, livestock technician roles, or management with more training.
  • Community: Many farms are family-run with strong team culture.

Disadvantages:

  • Physical demands and repetitive tasks can be tough.
  • Weather exposure and seasonal variability affect hours and comfort.
  • Early mornings, weekends, and holidays are common (especially with animals).
  • Peak-season pressure and long days require stamina.
  • Rural locations may require commuting and reliable Transportation.
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Expert Opinion

If you want to break into agriculture in Ontario, General Farm Worker is one of the most accessible and practical entry points. Employers value attitude, reliability, and safety awareness as much as experience. To stand out:

  • Arrive on time, ask questions, and show that you care about doing the job safely and well.
  • Build a “basic skills toolkit”: First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, a pesticide safety certificate if relevant, and an introduction to tractor and equipment operation.
  • Keep a simple log of tasks you’ve learned. This helps when you apply for the next step (e.g., a greenhouse role, livestock technician, or farm lead hand).
  • If you like working with animals, consider short courses in animal handling and biosecurity; if you enjoy machinery and crops, seek training in tractor operation and maintenance.
  • Explore related college programs in the off-season to increase your pay and responsibilities.

Ontario’s agriculture sector is evolving quickly with Automation, climate-smart practices, and greenhouse innovation. If you enjoy learning and adapting, you can build a stable, rewarding career here—whether you aim to become a farm lead, equipment operator, greenhouse specialist, or even start your own operation one day.

FAQ

Do I need formal training to start as a General Farm Worker?

Not necessarily. Many farms in Ontario hire entry-level workers and train on the job. However, having WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, and basic equipment training can help you get hired faster and work more safely. If you plan to handle or apply pesticides, you may need specific certification. See Ontario pesticide training: https://www.ontariopesticide.com/

Is there year-round work, or only seasonal jobs?

Both exist. Field crop work is more seasonal, with a lot of hours in spring and fall. Greenhouses, dairy, poultry, swine, and mushroom farms usually offer steady year-round work. Ask employers about off-season duties like equipment maintenance, facility repairs, pruning, or winter crop care.

What safety rules apply to farm work in Ontario?

You are covered by Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and have the right to know about hazards, participate in safety, and refuse unsafe work. Some special rules apply to agriculture under the Employment Standards Act (for hours and overtime). Review the provincial guides and talk with your employer about your specific role:

Will I need a driver’s licence or my own vehicle?

Many farms are in rural areas with limited public transit. A valid driver’s licence and reliable transportation are often required to get to work. If you operate farm vehicles on public roads, you must follow Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act and use proper safety equipment (e.g., slow-moving vehicle signs). Learn about slow-moving vehicle signs here:

How can I move up to a supervisor or farm manager role?

Show strong reliability, safety Leadership, and equipment or animal-care skills. Take on more responsibility gradually (e.g., leading small crews, managing irrigation schedules, or handling feed and health checks). Consider a college diploma in Agriculture or Horticulture, or a B.Sc. in Agriculture if you want to manage larger operations. Explore programs at:

Resources for finding work and learning more:

By focusing on safety, learning continuously, and building strong practical skills, you can grow a solid, long-term career as a General Farm Worker (Various tasks: fields animals maintenance) in Ontario’s Primary Sector.

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