Young Fifth-Generation Farmer Restores Family's 85-Year-Old Tractor, Wins Ag Mechanics Competition

News from the Sonoma County Fair:

“It starts with a hand crank in front, fires up with gasoline and then switches over to use diesel when it’s warm,” says 17-year-old Robert Bisordi of Fulton—Best of Show winner of the Sonoma County Fair’s Ag Mechanics competition.

The young, fifth generation Sonoma County farmer worked under the guidance of his father and grandfather (“Nonno”) to bring the 85-year-old family tractor back to life and usefulness. Where it once was the work horse to farm prunes and tomatoes, the Caterpiller 22 Tractor sat idle in the elements for 45 years.

Until this year when Robert took it on as his Ag Mechanics project. It’s now back in working condition and one of the many pieces of the Bisordi family ranch’s history of farming in the Russian River Valley, where they currently grow Zinfandel and Chardonnay grapes for wineries such as Martin Ray and Kunde Family Estate.

Purchased sparkling new in 1930 from Berglund Tractor in Santa Rosa by Robert’s great, great-grandfather Eugenio Bisordi, the tractor worked the crops on the Bisordi Brothers Ranch until the 1970s, when it was retired. The fifth generation of the family, including Robert or “Robbie” and his 20-year-old sister, Lori, thought restoring the tractor and entering it in the Fair’s Ag Mechanics competition would make for a great family project involving three generations of Bisordi’s.

“Our dear family friend Phil Marcucci, also helped guide the process with his incredible mechanical knowledge and skills,” says Stephanie Bisordi, Robbie’s mother.

The Ag Mechanics competition and exhibit at the Sonoma County Fair offers young exhibitors the opportunity to showcase vocational skills in areas such as welding, metal work, electrical wiring, wood working, mechanical, leathercraft and engine restoration.

The restored Caterpillar 22 Tractor is on display in the Finley Hall Youth building through the duration of the Sonoma County Fair.

In addition to the Caterpillar, the Bisordi family has also loaned a Ford 8N Tractor to the Fair for display in the Garrett building. It was purchased new by the Bisordi Brothers in 1948 from Ford Tractor, replacing the last team of horses on the ranch and used for farming prunes and grapes into the 90s. One of its main advantages is the width of the rear tires, which allows it to work in eight foot vineyard rows. The tractor is retired, but still helps out when needed.

Join “Down on the Farm” during the 2015 Sonoma County Fair through Aug. 9, closed on Mondays. Enjoy the thrill of live horse racing, a giant carnival, the exquisite Hall of Flowers show, live entertainment, delicious food, fun contests, games and more! For details, visit SonomaCountyFair.com or call(707) 545-4200.