Legal Definitions - agricultural labor

Agricultural labor refers to work directly involved in farming or ranching activities. This includes tasks performed on a farm or ranch that are essential for growing crops, raising animals, or producing goods derived from plants and animals.

From a legal perspective, agricultural labor is often treated distinctly under various employment laws. This means that individuals engaged in agricultural labor may be subject to different regulations or may not be covered by certain protections, such as unemployment insurance or workers' compensation, that typically apply to other types of employment.

• Example 1: A farmhand spends their days operating specialized machinery to prepare fields for planting corn, then later drives a combine harvester during the harvest season to collect the mature crop.

  How this illustrates the term: This work is performed directly on a farm and is integral to the production of a commodity (corn), fitting the definition of agricultural labor.

• Example 2: An employee at a commercial poultry farm is responsible for collecting eggs from nesting boxes, cleaning the chicken coops, and ensuring the hens receive proper feed and water.

  How this illustrates the term: These tasks are carried out on a farm and involve raising livestock (chickens) and obtaining an animal product (eggs), which are core components of agricultural labor.

• Example 3: A worker at a large greenhouse facility manages the hydroponic systems, monitors nutrient levels for growing strawberries, and assists with the picking and initial sorting of the fruit.

  How this illustrates the term: This work is performed within a farming environment (a greenhouse) and is directly related to the production of a crop (strawberries), aligning with the definition of agricultural labor, even though it's not a traditional open-field farm.