All Volunteers Bright and Beautiful

There are many things to do in the vineyard and we appreciate everyone who volunteers to make the various jobs go faster. On Wednesday, Rich, who hunts our land for deer and turkey came to volunteer to move rocks. We switched jobs on him elevating his job from "unskilled labor" to "skilled labor" which is pounding in pencil rods. Although Rich came for some upper body workout, he accepted the skilled labor job and we were able to finish 8 rows of pencil rods in the afternoon. Pounding and talking makes the work go faster. We learned that Rich is a software programmer for airplane parts!

While we were pounding in pencil rods, Tim Marvin from D. H. Marvin and Son, Inc. from Colchester came walking through the field. He basically snuck up on my husband who was concentrating intently on the demanding job of pounding pencil rods. Tim came all the way from Colchester to deliver our chain harrow and also to volunteer to pick rocks. A few weeks ago, Tim came to see the vineyard and in the process of brainstorming how to clear weeds from the alley, came up with the chain harrow idea.

He also suggested that Gary come up to look at the John Deere seats that he has as a possible replacement for the seat that came with the used Landini. The next day, my husband headed up to Colchester to look at Tim's John Deere seats and came back with one he thought would fit the tractor. Our friend, Scott the welder made an adapter and the tractor is now retrofit with a comfy seat. We don't know too many tractor dealers who would go out of their way to help us find tractor solutions to our vineyard work.

The days of pencil rodding are still not over and on Saturday, my exercise buddy, Jane came to help in the vineyard. Her skill level was such that she was immediately elevated to the task of pounding in pencil rods. We started early in the morning so that we wouldn't be beat by the sun and got in another 4 rows! We've now passed the halfway mark of pounding pencil rods! We really appreciate any and all the help that our friends can give us. We are thinking that our friends who volunteer sweat equity should be part of an elite group called The Founders Circle.