Learning 4 Life Farm is under construction!
We're currently raising funds for construction of the barn, retail shop and workspace, pastures, garden and hoop houses needed to establish our job training program, to be completed in three phases over three years, with the goal to launch our full job training program in 2023.
This fall we put our barn up and we're moving on to Phase 3 of our farm construction in 2021, adding plumbing, septic, electric and finishing the pastures, dry lot, gardens and workshop/gift shop for our job training farm.
Construction Phase 1 was completed in fall 2020 - installation of a driveway and 3-car parking lot, gravel barn pad, field drainage and bioretention rain garden - and was funded by donations from individual supporters in our local community and support from local contractor Jake's Property Services. Phase 1 provided the foundation for Phase 2 and Phase 3, constructing and finishing the barn, workshop/gift shop, pastures and gardens.
We're currently raising funds for construction of the barn, retail shop and workspace, pastures, garden and hoop houses needed to establish our job training program, to be completed in three phases over three years, with the goal to launch our full job training program in 2023.
This fall we put our barn up and we're moving on to Phase 3 of our farm construction in 2021, adding plumbing, septic, electric and finishing the pastures, dry lot, gardens and workshop/gift shop for our job training farm.
Construction Phase 1 was completed in fall 2020 - installation of a driveway and 3-car parking lot, gravel barn pad, field drainage and bioretention rain garden - and was funded by donations from individual supporters in our local community and support from local contractor Jake's Property Services. Phase 1 provided the foundation for Phase 2 and Phase 3, constructing and finishing the barn, workshop/gift shop, pastures and gardens.
Phase 2 construction, which took place in September and October 2021, involved constructing the ADA accessible 36x80 foot alpaca barn and retail shop/workshop building. Locally owned building company Grabers Oak Flooring provided barn materials and local construction company Wharton Exteriors installed the 36x80 foot pole barn and generously donated a portion of their labor in-kind.
With support from OSU Agricultural Extension - Licking County and Granville Milling Company, we tested our pasture and one-acre garden soil this summer and fall, applied agricultural lime to lower soil acidity, and we will fertilize and seed our pastures in spring 2022.
Now that the pole barn shell is up, our next steps are to install electricity, plumbing and a septic system. Local electrician Charlie Culbertson, owner of Charlie's Electric, is generously donating his labor in-kind to install our electrical panels and wiring in November 2021. Local partner business Beinhower Brothers Well Drilling will install a water line and conduit sleeve connecting the barn with the planned well location (well to be installed in Phase 3 in 2022). A local plumbing company will rough-in the pipes for our half-bath and utility sink. Local septic installer Jack's Septic will install our new septic system as soon as the weather gives us a few dry weeks!
In March 2022, local concrete provider J Beckner Construction will pour a concrete floor and sidewalk for the giftshop/workshop side of the building. Local contractors working in partnership with the Make It Fit Foundation (a central Ohio foundation that supports the local autism community) have offered to provide reduced rate and in-kind services for concrete and interior finished in the workshop/gift shop - building a wall and installing doors, a bathroom and utility room, dropped ceiling, insulation, HVAC and drywall.
Now that the pole barn shell is up, our next steps are to install electricity, plumbing and a septic system. Local electrician Charlie Culbertson, owner of Charlie's Electric, is generously donating his labor in-kind to install our electrical panels and wiring in November 2021. Local partner business Beinhower Brothers Well Drilling will install a water line and conduit sleeve connecting the barn with the planned well location (well to be installed in Phase 3 in 2022). A local plumbing company will rough-in the pipes for our half-bath and utility sink. Local septic installer Jack's Septic will install our new septic system as soon as the weather gives us a few dry weeks!
In March 2022, local concrete provider J Beckner Construction will pour a concrete floor and sidewalk for the giftshop/workshop side of the building. Local contractors working in partnership with the Make It Fit Foundation (a central Ohio foundation that supports the local autism community) have offered to provide reduced rate and in-kind services for concrete and interior finished in the workshop/gift shop - building a wall and installing doors, a bathroom and utility room, dropped ceiling, insulation, HVAC and drywall.
The pole barn will feature a 12-foot overhang along one 80-foot side to provide shelter for the alpacas and for gift shop guests entering the building. The barn will be divided into two sections, 36x40 feet each, with one side housing up to 10 alpacas in an open-floor-plan setting designed for their needs, and the other side housing a gift shop/workshop area. The alpaca section will have three dutch doors whose top sections can be opened for airflow facing the overhang and a dry lot, two garage doors to allow for movement of the animals to pasture areas, and a portable fencing area inside to allow guests to view the animals in the barn. The alpaca section of the barn will have a gravel floor covered with mats for the health of the animals. The 36x40 foot gift shop/workshop section of the barn will have a concrete floor, windows, french entrance doors, and an employee door leading to the animal area. The gift shop/workshop will have a half bathroom and a storage room with a utility sink.
In spring and summer 2022, we'll drill our well, seed and fertilize our pastures, put up fencing, and put the finishing touches on our barn and pastures to get ready for our alpacas - we plan to bring in the animals in spring 2023 and launch our full job training program.
Stay tuned for updates, and donate now to help us move forward.
In spring and summer 2022, we'll drill our well, seed and fertilize our pastures, put up fencing, and put the finishing touches on our barn and pastures to get ready for our alpacas - we plan to bring in the animals in spring 2023 and launch our full job training program.
Stay tuned for updates, and donate now to help us move forward.