As you may know, over the past few years we have been fixing up or replacing the old farm buildings here. It has been a big effort - requiring so much time and money and skills and work, and we are so very grateful for all of you that have helped us along the way.

Right now, our major efforts are going towards the repair and renovation of our corn-crib - this big essential building in the middle of the farm. We are replacing the siding, repairing doors and windows, and adding a staircase. All these changes will help this important building last for many years to come, and make it easier and safer to use.
Here is a picture (taken this week) of the progress on the corncrib renovations.

if you are not impressed with this picture of the progress so far, let me point out all that's been accomplished. The building now has 4 new doors, and 2 new sets of windows, with accompanying foundation work and structural support. We are in the middle of this project, so there is a lot of demolition mess hiding the subtle glory of a more structurally sound building and doors that close completely.

There's still a lot to be done - the big door, the siding, and the staircase.
Thank you Bill Morrison for your great leadership on this project!

here are some pictures from before:

the woodpile picture is the front of the building and we still need to replace the big sliding door.

here was what the back looked like. we can't put in the staircase until the siding is done, so there's still a door opening into empty space, but doesn't the new door look safer than this old one?

We are so excited and grateful to have received a Story County Community Foundation grant, in cooperation with Practical Farmers of Iowa, for $6,000 to help with this project. Also, a big thank you to the Dubuque Franciscan Associates for their generous gift to help us purchase new windows and doors to let in brother sun and sister moon and to welcome the stranger.
Thank you to all the many workers and carpenters that helped us with these buildings. To name just a few - Nathan Werstein, Andy and Ella Orngard, Bill Morrison, Nate Ryan, Usman, Indi, Maria, all our Catholic Worker friends that came from out of town, and so many more!
Also, very grateful for all those who donated or lent us money to get these projects done, including the Dubuque Franciscan sisters, and Ag-arts and so many individuals and families. I was just remembering that we won an Ag-arts mini grant to help us build our community building when it was in it's early planning stages. Grateful for their trust with a project that wasn't completed until about 5 years later.

Infrastructure isn't that glamorous, but safe and secure buildings make everything we do on this farm easier and better for all of us. It might sound boring to you, but to be able to organize and protect our equipment, supplies, and animals sounds magical and dreamy to me. Thanks everyone!
-alice and the mustard seed team