Church Grape Harvest!

Another thing I love about being back home here in Central California, the annual grape harvest every August! I found a great Ensign article that explains:

  Fresno Saints: Laboring in the Lord’s Vineyard

"During the hot summers, central California’s San Joaquin Valley is lush with vast vineyards of ripening grapes. Fresno County is known as the “Raisin Capital of the World.” (Think Sun-maid!) It’s no surprise, then, that to the area’s Latter-day Saints, laboring in the Lord’s vineyard is a way of life.

Sometimes that labor is physically demanding: pruning grapes in winter and harvesting them in summer on the Church’s eighty-acre welfare farm. The call for help is answered by members throughout the valley.

Yielding two hundred varieties of commercial crops each year, Fresno County is the number one agricultural producer in the nation."

I  haven't been grape harvesting since high school and it was such a joy to serve again! Back in high school I mainly went to find boys from other stakes from the surrounding areas to talk to, so this experience was quite different for me. I dropped the boys off at the nursery at the church building and went by myself since Jake had to work late. I wore my old scrubs and was not afraid to get dirty. Working for two hours, in the dirt, in over 100 degree weather does not sound fun, but it was. I loved it. I love that this part of church service here in California is ours and we are proud of it. The symbolism of laboring "in the Lord's vineyard" takes on a whole new meaning when you're literally doing it.

Each ward has about three long rows to complete.

You put on your gloves, grab your knife and bucket, and get to work! Fresh grapes from the vine are so delicious, feel free to snack along the way ;)

I've never been so dirty....

End the night with a beautiful and peaceful view of the sunset over the vineyards... and a great BBQ!