All the info about your trip

Picking in a romantic vineyard sounds promising. But we want to tell you a bit more about this adventure. Here you will find all the important information you need before you sign up for your trip.

What APCON does.

At Apcon, we connect pickers and farmers. By spending almost 30 summers picking from different farmers in France, we have connections and experience to match you with the right farmer. 

All farmers have been visited and selected by us. So we make sure you end up in a nice place and receive all the necessary info in time. We tell you about wages, board and lodging, the journey and specific information about the farmers themselves. So you can start your adventure carefree. 

Pay
&
Board and lodging.

In France, you are paid per working day, regardless of your pace of work. Every year, wages are calculated according to the rates set by law. Last year, the net wage was around €57 for an 8-hour working day. This amount will change slightly every year. Porters earn more than pickers, but there is no big difference.

In addition to wages, you get board and lodging. On days you don't work, either due to weather or illness, you don't get paid. At the end of the harvest, wages are paid, either in cash or by cheque. Let the farmer know that you prefer to be paid in cash; this way you avoid the cost of cashing a cheque. If you do receive a cheque, it is advisable to cash it immediately in France.

In Greece and Spain (olive harvesting), you are not paid in wages. Picking olives is a very important tradition in Greece, so people really consider it an honour that you get to help. However, board and lodging is well regulated and free, your help and presence is praised to the skies and they provide a good party. But this option is currently not available.

Important to know.

CONDITIONS

COST

Start date.

warranty by apcon

Another important reason to pick through APCON is because we keep daily track of how the harvest is going. Farmers sometimes do not know which date they will start harvesting until a week before it starts. This is due to weather conditions: farmers simply cannot give the information earlier. Because many farmers work with us, we can shift pickers when the date of harvest no longer fits. Don't worry though, farmers always give indications and they are often correct.

Should it really be fully booked or the harvest time does not match the period you are available, your application will be cancelled. It goes without saying that your payment will be refunded immediately.

If you cancel one month or more before the start of the harvest at your workplace, we will refund 50% of your payment. Cancellations up to two weeks before the start: 25% refund; later cancellations: no refund.

The relationship between pickers and the farmer (employer) is not our responsibility. An employer has the legal right to dismiss a picker (employee) if he has a good reason to do so. Apcon is not liable for any damages or lost income.

Insurance.

The farmer is required by law to insure you against accidents during working hours. This insurance does not cover damage due to theft, etc. Therefore, travel insurance is recommended.

Other information

We will inform you in advance how many days your harvest will take approximately. Work continues on weekends. You are expected to work the entire harvesting period of a farmer. Of course, you can indicate how long you prefer to harvest, and we will assign you to the perfect spot for you.

It is not necessary to speak the country's language well to understand what to do. Besides, there is always a colleague who speaks the language, or a local who speaks English.

When it rains, there is usually no work in the grape harvest because the rain negatively affects the sugar content of the grapes. If it keeps raining for many days in a row, you will have to go into the fields with the whole team because the bunches may rot. However, this rarely happens.

Disclaimer.

Apcon helps you get the right information and connections. Once with the farmer, it is your own adventure and Apcon is not responsible for your relationship with the farmer and other pickers. Of course, all feedback is welcome and we know how to select the right farmers with our experience.