A Message from Andrew--

 I believe Allie has done this already, but I want to say thank you to all of those who came out last fall to help us in our effort to build a NO COST chicken coop. Since the weather has allowed this spring, I have begun working on the structure once again, making progress here and there.

We now have ten little chicks growing in our upstairs bedroom getting ready to occupy this wonderful coop! So thank you! Hopefully we all will be able to reap the rewards of our flock.

 This summer presents us with a similar but much larger task which I now put before you all. I will not attempt this task in one day, but rather break it down into separate days of specific work. Those who feel so inclined to come assist, or just to visit, are more than welcome! In 2016 we are planning to try our hand at dairy goats. Therefore, a barn must be raised! This project serves many purposes other than just building a hut for goats to live in. With this I want a permanent structure that will last and that will teach me as I go the basics of building a timber framed structure. Also, the trees I use for this structure will help clear land to help our solar gain and for future garden plots.

The first step in which I would like to implore your assistance is to harvest the trees needed for this structure. This day of work will involve felling numerous trees, limbing and cutting them to certain length, and finally twitching them out to a specified area. With the clearing of these trees, I also hope to create a woods road which I hope to be able to use to harvest firewood and transport items across a stretch of our property.

 The barn will be 18x18 feet with two rooms and a peak roof. I have the location marked for the barn and most of it is cleared. I will work on the clearing before the cutting happens. I also want to pour a cement sill for the barn to rest on in order to preserve the wood and to help keep in the heat during the winter and keep ground water and run off out. The cement will probably be our second step in which I will implore some assistance.

This project is on my mind and I wanted to put our ideas out there! We have plans, hopes and dreams, and aspirations. YOU are our support network our advice column and our friends, neighbors and loved ones. What we want to accomplish out here at 122 French Road North would not be possible with you. Dream big, work hard, and reach far. 

As a side note, we are interested in finding a chipper! If you or anybody you know has one they are willing to rent or loan out, please let us know! The limbs cut from the trees for this project would make excellent mulch!

Thanks again, everyone, for all of the help you've given so far and for all the help you will be giving.  You're the best support network we could possibly ask for.