Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Agricultural employment" or "employment" means employment in agricultural labor as defined in RCW 50.04.150.

(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.

(3) "Employer" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, business trust, legal representative, or other business entity that engages in any agricultural activity in this state and employs one or more employees.

(4) "Employee" means a person employed in agricultural employment, and includes a person who is working under an independent contract the essence of which is personal labor in agricultural employment whether by way of manual labor or otherwise. However, "employee" shall not include immediate family members of the officers of any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other business entity, or officers of any closely held corporation engaged in agricultural production of crops or livestock.

(5) "Minor" means an employee who is under the age of eighteen years.