Picking grapes on September 8th!

Our grapes are doing fantastically, and rapidly approaching full ripening. Our sugar content on Aug 17 was 19%, and we anticipate a harvest date of Saturday, September 8 ! We will plan to start at noon, rain or shine, and be done by 4pm. We will then all get together for a dinner and various libations ( wine will be included!), followed by relaxing, yard games, roaming aimlessly about our farm, lots of conversations, and into the evening for a bonfire for those inclined.

For those who have not participated before, picking is work involving a fair amount of squatting ( although the clusters should all be at waist height ), and can involve lifting of a tote basket with up to 25# of grapes. Therefore plan to get dirt on your knees. Picking is done bare-handed, either by just yanking the clusters or using a “safety cutter”, of which we have enough for all. If you want to bring and use a shears, you must wear leather gloves. Kids under 12 would be not advisable, as we’ll have a tractor and various carts in constant use.

Most importantly, we want this to be FUN, and with you knowing that we will immediately contribute 100% of our operating profit ( income less fuel, chemicals, supplies, etc) to our 3 charities, so you know that your day with us has indeed resulted in a material improvement in our local ( Neighborhood Involvement Program ), state ( Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota), and international communities ( Central Asia Institute ). The contribution receipts will be posted on our website as usual ( and are now all there for our June 2012 and 2011 contributions) within 30 days.

If you and a friend or 2 can join us, just contact me, Jim Lee, at 763-354-0880 (cell), and I’ll confirm and fill you in with directions, etc.

Peace and Charity!