We are sorry but our crews are full for 2008. Please try again next January.

TO NEW WORKERS 2008

 Thanks for enquiring about working for us at Okanagan Harvest.  There are a few things you should know before you commit to becoming one of our crew. We harvest 40 acres of cherries over six weeks starting June 25 approximately and finishing July 31 approximately.

Depending on the crop, we employ 40-60 pickers and packing house workers who live rent-free in our campsite at one of the farms. You will need a tent, sleeping bag, cooking utensils, working clothes (warm and cold), boots, and a bathing suit (there is a pool). The camp has showers, flush toilets, stoves, fridges, microwaves, sinks, safe drinking water, couches, and sometimes TV and movies. 

We expect you to be in our camp by June 25 and finding work with the neighbours.  Those looking for work in August should make contact with cherry growers in Kelowna and Creston listed on the website www.bccherry.com.  

We have three crews: red cherry pickers, yellow cherry pickers, and packing house workers. The red cherry crew is mainly pickers from previous seasons…. We can offer a job to new workers but doing what depends on where workers are needed and what you are best suited to do. 

Pickers start at 5 a.m. and work till noon. They are paid by piecework, average earnings $10/hour (25cents a pound usually). Some pickers earn much more and many work in the packing house for the afternoon shift.  Packing house workers earn a minimum of $9.00 per hour and we pack an average of 8-10 hours per day starting a 6 a.m.    If you are hired, you will be expected to stay the entire season, the end of June until the end of July.  Cherry season is hard physical work … please that keep in mind when you accept this job.  It is also very hot here, over 35 celsius and we have mosquitos.  

We are a family run operation with high expectations of quality work to maintain our status as world class cherry growers. But we have lots of fun too and your summer will be one to remember.  Those wishing to learn more English will be disappointed to hear most of our workers are French Canadian. 

Oliver is a small town with little shopping but our camp is within walking distance and rides are provided to work.  The Greyhound Bus comes to town and rides are offered to camp if you call. If you want to keep your name on our list, you must keep in regular contact over the next few months.  

That means contact us immediately to confirm your intentions and then every six weeks or so.   If we do not hear from you again before May 15, your name will be removed. Feel free to call and/or email with as many questions as you like, our website is in the works still. www.okanaganharvest.com.

We look forward to meeting you and growing cherries for the world together this cherry season!    Chris and Greg Norton