B2B—Lancaster Fannins, Saturday, July 14,1984 Farmland Preservation It’s worth '^^■E®3^^*'£ l> :. *l^lSfsßr r~ v *i. t 'V *?f % x £X; '. V ,s *i’i v 4< *f . Rock Springs , Pa, MORRISTOWN Many people who have purchased an older farmstead sooner or later must make a hard decision; whether to repair and remodel the barn for some type of use or to tear it down. Evaluating existing buildings and their usefulness can be difficult. Often we are attracted to the charm of an older budding and do not see major difficulties in maintaining it in a safe and useful condition according to Mont gomery County Agent Joe Way. Before putting money into remodeling an existing barn, ask yourself some critical Questions. Is the barn location desirable? No amount of repair and refur bishment can make up for a bam that is in the wrong place. A critical evaluation of the barn’s location is relation to a long-term plan for the farmstead should be made. If the bam is in the wrong place, don’t compound this problem by investing more money in fixing it up. What is the barn’s structural condition? Is it sound or are there major defects that will require repair? Items to investigate for structural soundness include roof lines and roof, walls and their construction, main sills and foundation walls, and floor joists and beams. In older Pennsylvania bams, be sure to critically evaluate the first COMft ON You ouvs MOVE CiVCa/ NEED MORE ROOM? Read The Real Estate Ads ■* ■'f . > *-V ‘ A. * v * J* ... ts i* r * 4f " » Answer critical questions before floor walls for frost heaving or deterioration, especially the comer sections. Also investigate the joints of the various large framing timbers within the bam, as well as the floor logs holding up the bam floor. If you suspect structural problems, have the bam evaluated by a competent contractor or other * ** •* x * ♦ * *s* ' **"' V*. ,' </ * “ individual. For more hints and ideas on how to evaluate and remodel existing bams for use in small livestock enterprises, you may wish to obtain a copy of NRAES-6 “Small Farms • Livestock Buildings and Equip ment.” This $4, 85-page handbook includes information of interest to anyone planning a small livestock GBI r if V QUALITY BINS MADE IN U.S.A. *7* V >• * ** v".' * ' '** m&g.»:4 : ,- Tbf •■. i . ..■* remodeling born enterprise. In addition to a section on evaluating and remodeling bams, the handbook includes information on construction and planning of new facilities and requirements for various poultry and livestock that are raised by part-time farmers. A copy of NRAES-6 “Small .Farms - Livestock Buildings and r <•* V * T •*».«» • *• * ■“Mfci- 1 Photo by Dick Anglestein it a* *« n < (. ' W v V i * IV y. , * * Is '' - ' tf-v; * %h* , «$■ '4t»’ ■{ • x v, ,**•, i i‘4 is ♦ - 5. • 4v v 5 ' > / ■* Equipment” can be ordered by sending a check for $4 payable to The Pennsylvania State Univer sity, 204 Agricultural Engineering Building, University Park, PA 16802. Penn State Extension Service offers programs on a non discriminatory basis to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, creed, National origin or age. NEW From GSI (The #1 Bin Company intheU.S.A.) HEAVY DUTY 2Va" CORRUGATED FEED BIN JML h i \\ \ m /pi | i *-* fi --< Featuring The New Flex Auger Boot & Straight Auger Boot * V* * 4: * , 1% ■i .*• * ' i n
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers