Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all the support, encouraging emails, inquiries, etc. I am excited to share the farm with you and appreciate your patience. Building during 2021 has been like a morbid sitcom and a kamikaze mission, but despite all the shortages, lack of workers, massive delays, and inflation I am getting there! :) Although I'm glad I postponed from 2020, it's been a whirlwind of a year.
So what has been taking so long? Everything is having a trickle-down effect in construction from shutting down the economy earlier. Companies are very short of workers (unemployment is a tough competitor), materials are coming in at astronomical prices, as well as shortages due to distribution/delivery/worker issues. The framing phase I hired Ron for was dependent upon the completion of the concrete pad and we had over a seven-week delay and two concrete contractors bail. I was so blessed when A+ Concrete stepped in to complete the job! Once the concrete pad was finished, I could move forward with framing...until another road block. :) Fire code is requiring me to install two shower-stall sized water storage tanks to feed the fire suppression sprinkler system throughout both levels. As the current layout won't accommodate these tanks, I looked at burying the tanks below the frost line...but that brought a whole slew of issues and the cost skyrocketed into 1/4 of the build cost. :/ To resolve this, I'm in the process of closing in part of the east covered porch to extend the storage room and house these storage tanks indoors.
From there, I'm hoping to tackle each phase without further shenanigans until completion! Oorah!
It's exciting to see the windows installed! I just adore the black windows and doors from Pella (thanks, Chris!). I think they'll contrast nicely with the white siding and all the future blooms and flowers :)
In my proposal to the township, I anticipated it would take two to three years to get the farmer's market and farm operation up and running, so I'm still on track despite the setbacks. I am saying my prayers and crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes (ha) that we'll have something fun to offer for 2022, like our Farmstay experience. I'll keep you posted! <3 Sending our love and gratitude to you!
-Samantha
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