QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Parents

Does my son or daughter bring their own lunch?
Yes. We recommend that you pack a large lunch and some snacks the first day. We recommend avoiding foods that can spoil in the heat, such as mayonnaise, meats, dairy products, etc. Detasselers often mention that they are very hungry for fruit, and also enjoy something salty, like chips or pretzels, in order to replenish salt they've lost through sweating. We do not recommend taking salt tablets.

How much water should my son or daughter bring?
We recommend using a gallon container of some sort. You can even freeze milk jugs full of water if you don't want to buy one. Clearly label your jug with your name in permanent marker. Also, freezing larger "ice cubes" will help your water stay colder longer. You will carry this jug down to the field with you and leave it on the front side of the field. We also recommend taking a smaller water bottle with you up and down the rows to help keep you hydrated. Many detasselers find that camelbaks are extremely helpful. (There are inexpensive versions of these at Wal-mart). We will have plenty of extra drinking water on the bus as well. Pop and other caffeinated drinks can actually dehydrate your body, and we do not recommend drinking these.

If there is a storm, do you still go out?
Yes. Often weather conditions change quickly. We do work in the rain. However, if there is lightning, we will pull the crew from the field and wait it out.

How much do you pay?
We start out at a guaranteed $8.00 per hour. We have incentives for safety, perfect attendance, as well as incentives for experienced detasselers. We also have an elite roguing crew that will start at a higher pay rate.

Kids

Do you pay for transportation time?
We provide free transportation to and from the fields. Transportation time in-between fields is always paid, and it's always paid at your hourly base wage, plus bonuses.

How can I prevent blisters?
Blisters on the feet tend to be one of the common discomforts of detasseling. You can prevent them by following these suggestions: we recommend wearing very comfortable old tennis shoes, for starters. Don't wear anything too nice, because you'll probably end up throwing them away at the end of the season. Work boots do not fare well in the field, because the fields can be very muddy and then the work boots become very heavy and uncomfortable. Flip flops and sandals are not allowed, because a broken-off corn stalk can cause injury if improper footwear is worn. Also, many, many of our detasselers duct tape their feet. By wrapping the foot and heel in duct tape right on the skin (not too tight), you eliminate direct friction to the skin. Also, this helps to keep feet a bit drier and less "soggy," as well as adding some extra support.

How much do you pay and when?
We start out at a guaranteed $8.00 per hour. We have incentives for safety, perfect attendance, as well as incentives for experienced detasselers. We pay all of our employees weekly with bonuses paid out at the end of the year.

ASInc.net Detasseling will go to great lengths to protect all of its summer workers and treat them well. Experience has shown us that our workers respond and work to their fullest potential in a positive work environment. We diligently strive to maintain that environment for our crewmembers and we will not tolerate any activity or behavior that prevents us from accomplishing that goal. Our aim is to make detasseling an enjoyable experience for our workers.