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.
We're excited to complete Phase 2 of our farm construction in 2021, building the alpaca barn 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 provides 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.
We're excited to complete Phase 2 of our farm construction in 2021, building the alpaca barn 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 provides the foundation for Phase 2 and Phase 3, constructing and finishing the barn, workshop/gift shop, pastures and gardens.
Phase 2 construction, to take place in summer and fall 2021, involves constructing the planned ADA accessible 36x80 foot alpaca barn and retail shop/workshop building. In September 2021, locally owned building company Grabers Oak Flooring will provide barn materials and local construction company Wharton Exteriors will install the 36x80 foot pole barn. Once the pole barn shell is up, 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 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 plumbing installation. We also plan to install our septic system in Fall 2021, as well as fertilize and seed our pastures.
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.
Thanks to the support of our donors and sponsors, we're excited to put the barn up this fall (2021) and plan to do the finishing work on the building, including full plumbing, septic, and electric, plus finishing our dry lot and pastures for our alpacas, in 2022. Stay tuned for updates, and donate now to help us move forward.
Thanks to the support of our donors and sponsors, we're excited to put the barn up this fall (2021) and plan to do the finishing work on the building, including full plumbing, septic, and electric, plus finishing our dry lot and pastures for our alpacas, in 2022. Stay tuned for updates, and donate now to help us move forward.