Our California farm labor contractor license is pending with the Labor Commissioner. Crews start as soon as it's issued. Plan your season with us now.

Farm labor crews for citrus growers

Picking crews and grove labor for oranges, mandarins, lemons, and grapefruit: harvest, pruning, and young-tree care, from the San Joaquin Valley to Southern California.

Citrus work we handle

  • Harvest November to June for most varietiesPicking with ladders, bags, and clippers into bins. Lemons and Valencia oranges can run into summer and fall.
  • Pruning and skirting April to AugustHand pruning, skirting, and cleanup after mechanical topping and hedging, usually after harvest.
  • Young tree care March to SeptemberSuckering, trunk protection, and weed control for new plantings.
  • Planting and replants March to MayPlanting, staking, and replanting after freeze or disease losses.

The citrus season at a glance

When each citrus job usually happens, by month
Work Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Harvest Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes
Pruning and skirting No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Young tree care No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Planting and replants No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No

Typical California timing. Exact dates vary by region, variety, and weather.

What citrus growers should know

  • Ladder safetyCitrus picking means ladders and heavy bags. Crews are trained on ladder placement and carrying loads safely, and foremen pull worn equipment.
  • Clean fruit in quarantine areasAsian citrus psyllid quarantines cover much of California. In quarantine areas, fruit generally has to leave the grove free of leaves and stems, so our crews pick clean.
  • Pay by the bin, done rightCitrus picking is often paid by the bin. We pay piece rate the legal way, with separate pay for rest periods and time spent not picking.

Read our compliance standards

Questions from citrus growers

Do you have picking crews for navels and mandarins?

Yes. Our crews pick navels, Valencias, mandarins, lemons, and grapefruit with ladders, bags, and clippers, following your size and color picking instructions.

How do you pay citrus pickers?

Usually piece rate by the bin, the way the industry works. Every worker still earns at least minimum wage, is paid separately for rest and recovery periods and non-picking time, and gets an itemized wage statement.

Where do you supply citrus crews?

Anywhere in California. Most citrus work is in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, in counties such as Kern County, Tulare County, Fresno County, Ventura County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. We're based in Bakersfield; call (661) 677-5733 to check crew availability for your dates.

Counties where we work with citrus growers

Other crops we work

Need a citrus crew?

Tell us the block, the work, and your dates. We'll call you back to plan it.

Request a crew Call (661) 677-5733