04/27/17 South Heart, North Dakota

Joe S

Nancy Eberts – Eberts Harvesting

In 2003, we hired a young man named Joe and we were excited to have someone from Maine USA on our crew!

Way back in 2004, when Joe was working for us. He is sitting toward the back and Evan is in front. They are watching tv in the camper. Always serious – even when relaxing!

Last week, Joe came from Maine and, truth be told, we still get excited to see him!

Joe worked for us for three years from 2003-2006. He was a part of the summer and fall harvests and one of the few who was able to do the Nebraska and North Dakota fall harvest.

Joe’s first couple of fall harvests were in Nebraska. He also was able to be a part of our fall harvest currently in North Dakota. This was taken in 2006.

Our friendship has only grown! He has made it back many times (sometimes we’re lucky that he brings Casey along) and there is usually…well…okay, almost always grease involved! There have been weddings, as well, that he and Casey have come back for!
Since he has been here, we have had snow, rain, wind, sun, frost and fog…pretty much all the seasons! In, yes, less than ten days!
He leaves Saturday and we couldn’t be more grateful for all he’s done.

Miss Casey

He is simply a blessing!

Joe swapped a CAT C12 engine with a worn out cam shaft for another CATC12 engine. This is no small task and everything went well…he nailed it!


It’s running!!

This wasn’t the first time. Last fall, he swapped a C15 engine with a 3406E engine!

Again, nailed it!

Last fall when Joe and Casey came out and he was ‘motorin’.

Joe’s work ethic and ability is no surprise to us. In Maine, he is a shop foreman. He has a crew of three other guys that maintain twenty two semi units, seven dump trucks, thirty three semi trailers…live floors, low beds, dump trailer, chip trailers, flatbeds…thirteen excavators, three horizontal grinders, seven wheel loaders, two rollers, a dozer, and thirty one vehicles.
It’s no wonder he calls this a vacation!

He is even humble enough to stay at the Ritz (aka Myron’s and my camper) and appreciates the meals!

Again, we are blessed.

I texted Casey today and she was worried that he wasn’t earning his keep.  I told her if we could rope the moon, we’d give it to him! So many young men and women over the years and Joe is simply one of the best.

He even helped Mason build a play set while he was here for Maci’s 3rd Birthday!

Marv, Brent, Mason and Joe “building the park”. 

There’s always stories, memories and laughs. Joe manages to somehow let the current crew know that they have it made!
Those conversations usually start out with, “Back when I was here…”

This is what harvest is all about – forming lasting friendships!

My hope is to highlight several of these this year as we keep in touch!
Stay tuned!

Nancy Eberts
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