On Sept. 16, the Virginia Water Well Association (VWWA) held its 2011 Fall Field Day, and it was an occasion that benefitted participants in a couple ways. Not only were they afforded the opportunity to take advantage of eight hours of vocational and master credits for continuing education, they also were able to help people in need.

The group drilled an irrigation well for The Volunteer Farm of Shenandoah in Woodstock, Va., a non-profit, charitable program working through the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The Volunteer Farm helps feed 129,000 people annually in 25 counties and nine cities in the northern mountains of Virginia.

Educational topics covered included an introduction to karst geology, down-hole camera exploration, and drilling practices and troubleshooting.