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A Barn Razing

  • May 17, 2015
  • 4 comments
  • 247 views
  • Rory

Removing the siding

When we moved to this property three years ago it came with few outbuildings in varying degrees of disrepair. The previous owners had already torn down a traditional barn that had literally collapsed a few years prior. Next to it stood a giant red shed that, by the time we came, was also collapsing. Too dangerous to use, too dilapidated to restore, it served its purpose as a quaint backdrop to family pictures. But a farm needs a barn, and the time has come to bring it back.

Part of building a new barn meant preparing the ground for new construction. So the red shed had to come down.

Red shed stripped of siding

Of course, we saved all that beautiful weathered barn wood. We’re looking forward to using in future projects.

Weathered barnwood siding

Several friends from our church and Becca’s parents joined us, making for a quick demolition. After removing all the siding and cutting a few supports it came down pretty easily.

After the shed came down we had to clear a large swath of saplings that had overgrown the site where we want to situate the new barn. I figured out a pretty effective disposal method that involved cutting, dragging, and burning.

Cutting down and clearing saplings

Dragging trees to burn pile

Using the tractor to push trees into the burn pile

I also got to use a chainsaw and tractor. As I told Becca, a man will take any excuse to use a chainsaw and tractor. Excavation finished last week and construction begins tomorrow. Lots more pictures to come!
 

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Rory

Rory Groves moved his family from the city to the country several years ago to begin the journey towards a more durable way of life. Rory and his wife Becca now reside in southern Minnesota where they farm, raise livestock, host workshops, and homeschool their six children. He is the author of Durable Trades: Family-Centered Economies That Have Stood the Test of Time.

Tags
  • Barn
  • barn
  • Tractors
  • Woods

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4 comments
  1. John says:
    May 18, 2015 at 8:29 am

    Nice work, Groves family!

    Reply
  2. Carolyn Silvester says:
    May 18, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    Love seeing these post of Life on the Farm. Would love to see everything in person.

    Reply
  3. Kelly @ Love Well says:
    May 18, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    Very cool! I bet you could pay for the tractor and chainsaw if you sold some of that barn wood. It commands a pretty penny on Etsy.

    Reply
  4. Pingback: A farm needs a barn | The Grovestead

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