FAQ
General
What is detasseling?
Detasseling removes tassels from one variety of corn to prevent self-pollination, aiding hybrid corn production. It requires high precision, with crews often revisiting fields multiple times for quality control.
Employment Requirements
How old do you have to be?
You must be at least 13 by July 1st or before the season begins (usually around July 10th each year). Some seed companies have age restrictions that we must follow. Thirteen-year-olds generally will have fewer hours than fourteen-year-olds due to these restrictions. Unfortunately, we are unable to make exceptions to this rule.
HOW Tall do i need to be ?
A minimum height of 5’2″ is required, without shoes.
WHAT Documents do I need to fill out?
You’ll need an I-9, W-4, parental permission, and forms from seed corn companies. Orientation meetings will guide you through the paperwork. These meetings are by invitation only and you will receive information regarding your orientation if your application is accepted between April 1st and April 15th.
HOW CAN I get a spot on your crew?
Apply online starting March 1st. Applications are competitive, and preference is given to past workers and older applicants. Applicants who meet the criteria below will be given preference:
- Quality responses to application questions
- Availability for the entire season
- Correct punctuation and grammar on the application
- Applications that demonstrate attention to detail
- Previous detasseling experience
At NATS, we prioritize hiring quality applicants. While we encourage applicants to submit their application early, the spots on the crew are not first-come, first-served. We will always choose the workers based on the quality of their application.
What does it take to become a squad leader?
To be on the clean-up crew you need to:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have had previous detasseling experience
- Have had excellent performance on regular buses
Pay
HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY?
NATS offers competitive pay, with bonuses for good attendance, experienced detasselers, and top workers. Our clean-up crew is one of the highest paid in the state. Most workers earn bonuses, and we aim to minimize unpaid downtime.
HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE DURING THE SEASON?
Pay varies due to agricultural factors.
DO YOU GUARANTEE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS?
No, due to the nature of agriculture we are unable to guarantee hours. However, we aim to provide between 80-100 hours of work for the season for our regular buses, while our Force buses
WHEN WILL I BE PAID?
You’ll receive your first paycheck about three weeks after starting, with a second paycheck (including bonus) two weeks later. Signing for direct deposit is the fastest and most efficient way to receive your paychecks.
DO YOU GIVE CREDIT FOR YEARS WORKED FOR ANOTHER COMPANY?
Yes, we credit detasseling experience with proof (e.g., W-2).
Season Length and Hours
WHEN DOES THE SEASON START?
Typically around July 10, with some variation based on seed corn company schedules. Roguing typically starts at the end of June or beginning of July. NATS receives about a 48-hour notice from seed corn companies before the season starts. Start dates will be posted in the “Season Updates” tab on the website.
HOW LONG is a typical work day?
Fieldwork is typically 6-7 hours, but it may range from 4-9 hours. Transportation time is paid between fields.
HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK DO YOU WORK?
Six days a week (Mon-Sat). Force buses work on Sundays, and extra hours are available on Sundays for regular buses.
How long does the season last?
Usually 3 weeks, sometimes extending to 4.
Field
DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN LUNCH?
Yes, pack a large lunch and snacks. Avoid perishable foods and bring plenty of water.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I BRING?
A gallon jug with larger ice cubes and a smaller bottle for the field. We also provide extra water on the bus.
What shoes should i wear?
Wear old tennis shoes (no sandals) and consider using duct tape on your feet for extra protection against blisters.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE FIELD?
Rain jacket, pants, sunscreen, bug repellent, and long-sleeved, protective clothing. Hats, gloves, and safety glasses will be provided.
Can I bring my phone or earbuds in the field?
Phones and earbuds are allowed on the bus at your own risk but not in the field. For both safety and building community, workers need to be able to hear their squad leaders and supervisors without the distraction of a phone or air pods.
Transportation
WHERE ARE YOUR BUS SITES LOCATED?
You can find information about each of our pick-up/drop-off locations on our Pick-Up Sites page. In addition, as the season approaches we’ll post bios of our supervisors for each bus site.
WHAT TIME DO THE BUSES LEAVE IN THE MORNING?
The buses leave at 5:30 a.m. For those who get on at the Milford Exit at the gas station, the bus usually arrives between 6 and 6:15 a.m.
Where are the fields location?
Most fields are located west of Milford, Nebraska between Seward and York. We also detassel fields near North Bend, Wahoo and Waterloo, Nebraska. Transportation to the fields is provided on our buses.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY PARENTS SHOULD PICK ME UP FROM THE BUS SITE?
Each bus will send out text updates to parents with estimated pick-up times, usually between 1:00 and 4:30 p.m.
inclement wEATHER
dO YOU WORK IN STORMS AND RAIN?
We will still go out even if there is a storm. Our crews work in the rain but will pause for lightning. Parents and employees will be notified if there’s a delay. Keep in mind that the corn is wet nearly every morning, so rain gear will be beneficial regardless of whether it rains or not.
Company Culture and Safety
What do you do to ensure a positive environment?
NATS promotes respect. We require professional behavior, clean speech and courtesy towards others. Profanity and disrespectful behavior are grounds for being let go.
WHAT KIND OF ADULT SUPERVISION IS THERE ON THE FIELD?
Each bus has a driver and assistant, with supervisors checking on workers at least every 30 minutes and often more frequently.
CAN I WORK NEXT TO MY FRIENDS?
You may be placed in the same squad if you’re on the same bus, but squads are generally rotated for training and efficiency purposes throughout the season.
Job References, Scholarships, and ACT Prep
CAN I GET A JOB REFERENCE FROM YOU FOR FUTURE JOBS?
Yes, NATS can provide references for future jobs or scholarships, especially for those with multiple years of experience. Allow at least two week’s notice in order to receive a quality reference letter.
Are there scholarships available for NATS EMPLOYEES?
NATS employees who live in Lancaster County may be eligible for a scholarship through the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA). LIBA has 13 scholarships available and many NATS employees have been recipients in the past.
hOW CAN DETASSELING HELP MY act SCORE?
NATS offers a discount through OnToCollege with John Baylor test prep, helping increase ACT scores for college admissions and scholarships. As a NATS employee, you qualify for a 25% discount online or in person test prep classes. You can obtain this year’s discount code by emailing Dawn.