Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (7%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 5 (17%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 23 (77%)

• Record information about crops, such as pesticide use, yields, or costs.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Record information about plants and plant growth.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
• Identify plants, pests, and weeds to determine the selection and application of pesticides and fertilizers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
• Feel plants' leaves and note their coloring to detect the presence of insects or disease.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• Provide information and advice to the public regarding the selection, purchase, and care of products.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
• Maintain inventory, ordering materials as required.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• Inspect plants and bud ties to assess quality.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
• Direct and monitor the work of casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Participate in the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, and post-harvest treatment of crops.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Repair and maintain farm vehicles, implements, and mechanical equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Harvest fruits and vegetables by hand.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Set up and operate irrigation equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Inform farmers or farm managers of crop progress.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate tractors, tractor-drawn machinery, and self-propelled machinery to plow, harrow and fertilize soil, or to plant, cultivate, spray and harvest crops.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Load agricultural products into trucks, and drive trucks to market or storage facilities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean work areas, and maintain grounds and landscaping.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Sow grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Regulate greenhouse conditions, and indoor and outdoor irrigation systems.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Cut, roll, and stack sod.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Dig, rake, and screen soil, filling cold frames and hot beds in preparation for planting.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Trap and destroy pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice, using pesticides.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or tractors.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees, wrap their roots, and pack them into boxes to fill orders.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil, using wheelbarrows or carts and shovels.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Repair farm buildings, fences, and other structures.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Plant, spray, weed, fertilize, water, and prune plants, shrubs, and trees, using gardening tools.Little or no AI speed-up

Questions about farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse and AI