Day 357

While we discuss and determine the future of our farm, there are plenty of things to work on. Organizing the barn is always near or at the top of the list. Now that the warm season is finished, the barn has become more of a storage area. As we get more comfortable with our barn and acquire more materials and tools, we aren't necessarily playing Tetris in the barn. However, we are still trying to figure out the best way to store things while still allowing access to things so we can continue the work over winter.

One strategy we have used is by creating zones. For example, we have a tool zone which covers a few different adjacent stalls. We also have a chicken supply area, a lawn mowing area,  and a gardening area. We have a stall full of wood and a few sections of miscellaneous items. 

One smaller area of the barn is more of a junk pile. Some is metal we have collected and will eventually clear out. The rest is scrap wood and cardboard we can burn. Our burn barrel is busy. I’ve used it to burn wood we can’t use for other things, cardboard, and yard waste. We’ve been told the burn barrel is a perfect final resting place for dead chickens but I don't think I want the smell of fried chicken wafting through the farm. 

There is satisfaction in watching the rubbish pile get smaller and smaller as the flames get higher and hotter. On a few occasions, I’ve even played dueling fires with the burn barrel and our backyard fire pit. The kids love helping out. They are big fans of collecting small sticks and adding them to either fire. Because I put the kids to work in starting and stoking the fire, we usually end every fire with s’mores. While this is usually a summer activity, I think we might be able to sneak in a few sticky treats this winter especially on warmer days where we can light up the barrel. Of course, if we want s’mores, we must earn it with a day of farm work. 

That shouldn't be a problem at all.