deliver a load of sod, and get back at 7:30 am to tackle his full day of projects. He was raised in a farm environment, so he’s knowledgeable about crops. When I do take over Pine Island, he’ll be by my side, helping manage the operation.”

Chip says, “On the production side, Skip Bierstine does most of the spraying and fertilizing on the fields, when he’s not delivering sod. Frank Vandermark, our long-time mechanic, is mentoring our young mechanic, Johnny Moriello, who is already an accomplished mechanic. Paulo Avalos is a key man for us. He gets the harvesting schedule from Kelsey and runs our Trebro harvester. He also directs and coordinates the mowing and irrigation schedules. Chet Jaycox helps with delivering and works anywhere needed on the farm, whether screening soil or mowing or helping in the shop. Matter of fact, all the crew members wear many hats and can and will fill in wherever needed.”

Pine Island grows a Grade “A” Bluegrass Blend and tall fescue, offering both as standard rolls, 2-ft by 5-ft. or big rolls, 3.5-ft. by 80-ft. Tey sell primarily to big contractors and garden centers, though they cover all categories: home lawns, commercial sites, sports fields, golf courses, cemeteries and parks. Chip says, “We also sell sod to event organizers in New York City. Tey want our very high end product, even though most install it, leave it in place for the duration of the event, then pick it up and throw it away.”

Tey service parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Kelsey says, “While we do have some pick-ups, 80 to 85 percent of our sod is

WORK MULTIPLE PASSES INTO A SINGLE PASS

TURF TILLER

Charles Lain, Sr., Brayden Gurda and Chip Lain strike a pose in front of the tractor. Photo courtesy of the Lain Family.

delivered to the installation site. Our driver will use the portable forklift to unload it to a designated area or to spot it around the job site.”

Te black dirt soil can heat up fast, so from May until late September, sod harvesting starts at 3:00 or 4:00 am so deliveries can be made early in the day. “We close the office at 4:00 pm and try to let the crew go home then,” says Chip. “Often they’ll stay to harvest soybeans or work with some of the other crops. Our employees are that responsible and dedicated. We are so fortunate to have them—and sure wish we could find more just like them.”

Looking Ahead Chip says, “We close the farm when winter weather forces us to close, usually around Christmas. We’ll have freezing temperatures and snow from Christmas usually until sometime in March. Shari and I will work a light schedule during that time, focusing on marketing and planning for the upcoming year. We also take time to enjoy our family and get away to, as my Dad says, ‘recharge the batteries.’ Tis winter we have rented a house on the St. John’s River in Florida for a few weeks to relax and do some fishing.”

Kelsey adds, “I’ll handle weekly payroll, spring ordering and other office details as needed. Brandon has considered providing snow removal, but the winter break is important to us. It’s the only time we have more than a weekend together. He does drive a truck part-time for his father, delivering salt in upstate New Year, but that’s a part-day run.”

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Charles has remarried. He and his wife Delores (Dodi) are enjoying life, spending nine months in Florida, and heading back to New York for June, July and August. Having observed the detrimental impact of generational conflict in family businesses when the older person refuses to let go, he stepped completely away from Pine Island Turf.

When they’re not working, Chip and Shari enjoy water skiing, boating and fishing—and being grandparents to Brayden, who absolutely loves the outdoors.

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News. 94 TPI Turf News November/December 20 2016