MURPHY FARM LEARNING CENTER

                                   Last updated Oct 5th, 2001

              We are happy to announce that construction has started on the Farm Learning Center.  On the 2nd of Jan.,2001  site development began.  Some sand was hauled in to bring the building site up to grade.  The next day the building was marked out and the digging began for the footings.  On Jan.4th and 5th the footings were poured and because of a break in the weather (rise in temperature) the blocks were laid on Sat. the 6th.  On the 8th of Jan. the blocks were back-filled with sand in preparation for the framing.  All the plumbing that was to go in under the floor was put in during the week of the 8th.  During the week of the 15th more blocks were hauled in for the animal care center portion of the building. Plastic Covering was put over the area so that the blocks can be laid. (week of the 22nd)  Framing started on Mon. Jan 29th and at the end of the day on the 30th the building  looked like this.  Jan 31st The first trusses were put into place.  By the end of the week on Feb. 2nd all the trusses were  up and oh,what a difference in appearance. Putting sheeting on the barn seemed to be the order of business for the week of the 5th through the 9th. Freezing rain slowed the process on Thursday.  On the 8th of Feb. the barn looked like this. Week of Feb. 12th.We thought we might get the roof on this week but the weather didn't co-operate.  If the weather is good it should go on the first part of the week. The finishing touches were put on the outside and this is our building now. Week of Feb. 19th With snow on the roof early in the week and then the cold the roofing is still on hold. Inside however the electricians and the plumbers are working daily. We do have some changes in the external appearance and the barn looks like this.  Week of Feb. 26th  The roofers got here this week and began roofing ,also the rest of the concrete floors were poured.  The only concrete work left is in the animal room.  This is our building as of Feb.28th. Week of Mar.12th The beams in our classroom have been installed and look very nice.  The inside is ready for dry wall.  Most o the electrical wire has been run and all of the computer lines. Outside we have the siding on and most of the trim.  The building really looks great!!  By Friday some of the doors were put on and our barn looked like this. Week of Mar. 26th  Externally the barn is nearly finished. This is a view from the east showing the animal room. Inside the workers continue with the dry wall and electrical. The animal room is being prepared for concrete,the concrete will actually be poured on Mon. or Tue of next week. The air vents were installed on the roof and look like this.  Week of April 2nd The hanging of the drywall is complete and waiting for the finishing.  Consumers got here this week and set the poles and ran the underground cables to our barn.  The concrete work continues in the animal room. The drainfield for our septic system will likely be put in next week. Week of April 16th The septic field is being completed as this is typed.  The well was drilled and the water line connected to the barn on the 18th.  The concrete work in the animal room is nearly completed,only the curbing around each of the pens is left and that is to go in today. The interior is close to being ready for the painters. Week of Apri 23rd The painters started with the primer coat in the main part of the building while the plasterer finished the animal room.  The propane was hooked up to the building and one the furnaces is operating to keep the building warm so the  paint and plaster can dry. Week of April 30th Most of the painting is complete and some of the bathroom fixtures have been installed.  The tile in the bathrooms is all in.  Some of the lights have been installed and connected electrically I expect the inside trim to be put on this week, along with the rest of the bathroom fixtures. Internally things are really starting to move. Week of May 21st  Most of the electrical is completed and the painters are finishing up the trim. The carpet is down in the office and stairway but still has to be installed in the hallway. We put up the weather vane and it looks quite nice. Just some final touches here and there and then we will be able to start putting in the furniture. Week May 28th  The little things seem to be going much slower than I would have thought.  We walk through on Mon. the 4th of June to make a punch list, then we will see how long it takes to complete everything. We are definitely going to run over the projected completion date.  Everything should be done in a couple weeks however. This web site will be updated as the construction continues. Be sure to visit this site and watch the progress with us. The whole summer has past since the last update on the Farm Center.  We had the dedication of the Farm Learning Center on the  25th of Sept.  Animals have been brought in and in one pen we have a Black Angus steer.  The latest addition to the Murphy Farm was a much needed pole barn for storage.  We are presently getting ready for our Fall Open House which is Oct. 7th.  Hope to see you there.