ORIENTATION & SAFETY HANDBOOK

You have been accepted to join Team Corn Detasseling this coming summer. We thank you for your application and willingness to work for us and yourself this summer.

Please read this “Orientation & Safety Handbook.” We would like you and your parents to review this information and keep it on hand throughout the season. The information in this handbook will help you understand how to prepare yourself for the season and understand the pay system and times. On the front section, you can write down the names, numbers, places, and times for your crew. This information will be given out at an Orientation Meeting that will take place in late June or early July. We will send you a postcard to let you know where and when this meeting will be held. We will call Detasselers one or two days before their crew starts work.

Please complete the enclosed tax and citizen ID forms and return them to us ASAP. No paycheck can be processed without this information. Be sure to get your parents signature on the U.S. Department of Justice Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 if you are under 18. Please also be sure to sign your name on all tax forms. Please send copies of your ID along with the tax forms. If you have any questions, please call and we will be happy to answer them. You can print out extra applications for friends here.

Welcome

Thanks for choosing Team Corn for your summer job. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and will do our best to reward you with the best wage possible. Along the way, our goal is to provide a safe work environment and to develop a good work ethic and attitude on each crew. Our leaders in the field and office are trained and motivated to see that you will enjoy your work, be treated with respect, and receive fair pay. Because you are a big part of our success, we ask that each detasseler work each day that is requested, show respect to leaders and fellow detasselers, and do their best in the field to ensure efficiency and quality.

Working Together

This is the key to having a successful season that is fun and rewarding. Seed companies we work with will give us more fields to work on and work with us better if we are efficient in the fields and do a quality job for them. The more work we do, the more hourly wages and hourly bonus you can earn.

Before You Can Work

All detasselers must complete the following forms before they can start working and ensure timely and accurate pay checks.

1. Application / Agreement

2. I–9 Form: U.S. Department of Justice Employment Eligibility Verification

3. W-4 forms: Federal and State (2 separate forms)

4. Copies of 2 forms of ID’s

5. EPA/WPS Training and signature (done on your first day at work)

Orientation Meeting

Before the season starts, each crew will have an orientation meeting where parents and workers are encouraged to attend to get valuable information and insight into our operations and details on pay, pickup sites and times, safety, leadership contacts, what to bring and wear, and how to earn the best wage.

When Do We Start

The detasseling season generally starts the first part of July. You will be notified of the season’s onset between 24 and 72 hours in advance. It’s not unusual to get notified the night before the first day of work. We notify everyone as soon as the Seed Companies notify us that a field is ready for detasseling. No specific amount of work can be guaranteed since a season length depends on corn growth, weather, and other variables not under our control. The detasseling season can last anywhere from 8 to 20 days.

The First Day

The first day is always the toughest. Show up early to the pickup site, especially if you have any paperwork to complete. Bring extra food and water. You can always cut back on following days. Be attentive and cooperative to all leaders’ instructions.

When Do I Get Paid

Pay for Detasselers will be issued twice a month, with pay periods ending on the 15th and last day of the month and should be mailed 8 business days from the last day of the pay period. Any final payments will be sent within three weeks from the last day the last crew worked.

Hourly Wages

If you are a RETURN WORKER who RECEIVED a BONUS CHECK in 2023 and return for our 2024 season, your wage will be: Ages 12 & 13 will earn $12.75/hr.  Ages 14 & 15 will earn $13.50/hr. Ages 16 and up will earn $15.00/hr

Regular Wage for 2024 (new hires & rehires who did not qualify for a bonus in 2023):  Ages 12 & 13 will earn $11.75/hr. Ages 14 & 15 will earn $12.50/hr. Ages 16 and up will earn $14/hr. In addition, there will be a bonus paid at the end of the season. You will be paid an hourly wage for work completed at the fields. Break times are paid. We generally take a break every two hours or more frequently if needed. If the day is long enough for a lunch break, we generally take an unpaid 30-minute lunch before work resumes.

Hourly Bonus

An hourly bonus of $.25 cents per hour for every 40 hours worked will be paid once the season is completed. As an example, after 80 hours it equals $.50 cents per hour and after 120 hours it equals $.75 cents per hour and so on. Checks for the hourly bonus will be sent within three weeks from the last day worked by the last crew.

Leadership in the Field

Region Manager - Sets up, manages, trains, and follows up on all aspects of the crew operations.

Area Manager - Manages a group of crews, from 2 to 6, working with them to ensure efficiency. They give crew assignments, monitor safety issues, guide the efforts each day for Detasselers and crew leaders.

Crew Leader - Daily lead and manage all crew activity. From bus safety and travel, working in the fields to become efficient, motivating and giving Detasselers feedback on their work.

Bus Driver - Besides driving and maintaining the bus, drivers also assist with crew morale and discipline, paperwork, and crew movement in the field.

Problems

If the Detasseler or parent has a concern about any individual working or associated with Team Corn, any of the rules or policies, or the operations of Team Corn, please feel free to contact the, Crew Leader, Area Manager, or Team Corn office.

Season Summary

At the end of the season you can request a season summary along with your check. That summary will list the days, hours, fields, pay per hour, and totals for the season. We encourage the Detasselers and parents to keep track of the days and hours worked.

What to Bring

Water - Bring plenty! Minimally, bring a half gallon of drinking water. A gallon jug in a backpack, hydration pack, Canteen is recommended (anything that will enable you to bring water in the field and keep your hands free). Each bus or van will also have an extra supply the crew can use for refills.

Food - Bring a lunch box/cooler full of what you like fruit, cookies, sandwiches, chips, and snacks. Bring plenty the first day to give you a guide on what to bring the following days.

What to Wear

Hat - They help. A baseball cap or wide brimmed hats are great.

Shirts - You can wear two shirts. An outer long sleeve shirt for the mornings when it is cool and then take it off when it warms up, wearing a short sleeve shirt in the afternoon. You can change how you wear them after the first day. A long sleeve shirt also helps if the corn bothers your forearms.

Outerwear - Bring a poncho or rain gear for the morning dew or when it rains. We do work in the rain, but not in lightening.

Pants -Light fabric pants work best (blue jeans tend to cause chaffing). Some people wear shorts (gym shorts work great) if corn leaves do not bother them. Spandex or bike shorts work well under pants to avoid chafing

Socks & Shoes - Old tennis shoes work best. Work boots get heavy with mud and are hot, but some do like wearing them. Most of the time we find out that most people throw out their tennis shoes at the end of the season. If you wear shorts, you might consider wearing soccer socks (knee high socks) to protect your shins from the corn leaves. Also, have a second pair of socks to change into can help.

Gloves - Tight fitting lightweight gloves work best. Dishwashing gloves or tight gloves with the fingertips cut out also work.

Accessories - Other things to bring should include sunglasses or protective eyeglasses, sun block, any necessary medications, and other personal health items. If you have allergies of any kind, be sure to bring your proper medication and know how to use it.

A bandanna or neck gaiter is an excellent way to keep corn leaves off of the sensitive skin on your neck.

Transportation

We provide transportation to and from fields every day. We encourage you to take advantage of it. The bus driver and crew leader will inform the crew of any riding rules and general behavior. Buses we lease are certified and inspected through the Department of Labor and Transportation. Travel time to the first field of the day or the ride home is not paid for. Only travel during the day, from field to field is paid for. Also observe the rules and policies of Team Corn as discussed when moving from field to field. If Detasselers choose to drive or ride with another, Team Corn assumes no liability in case of an accident.

Rules & Policies

No smoking is allowed for those under age. For those of age, smoking is not allowed in the field or on the bus. The fields we work on are owned and operated by local farmers and seed companies. Respect for their property and equipment is required. Place all your trash in garbage bags that are provided or pack it out yourself. Observe all safety guidelines as explained in the WPS training you receive on your first day of work. Be respectful of other Team Corn employees and act in accordance with leadership guidance. Grounds for dismissal/termination include: any illegal activity, insubordination, abusive language, any harassment, endangerment of yourself or others, or other reasons deemed inappropriate by Team Corn.