Fleet & Facilities

by Dylan Durkee, Fleet & Facilities Manager

As we all know, this summer was very dry, but with the dry weather we were able to get a lot of work done. We were able to get hay baled, trees cut down and sawed up for several on property projects, such as:

• putting new floor joist in the Harwood barn

• new siding on the maintenance building

• bog bridges on the wildlife trail

• constructing chicken tractors

• new outdoor chicken coop

• run-in for the horses

• sawing lots of timbers for an upcoming timber frame project

This fall we will focus on constructing a new timber frame building which is intended to be very versatile. The building will be used for parking all the equipment that is currently outdoors and for sawing timbers undercover. The building will also be used for putting together new timber frame buildings in the future. This project will most likely take up most of the fall. Stop by the top of the Farm Trail if you see us working to say hi and see what we are up to!

Land Management

by Mike Stock, Working Lands Operations

Summer went well - we completed infrastructure projects, hayed, logged, worked with animals, improved fencing, mowed and helped out wherever it was needed! Working with the SCA group was also very satisfying.

This fall brings plenty of tasks as well. Stacking wood for the cabins , keeping trails free of debris and blowdowns and working on the new timber frame equipment storage/ shop space will keep me busy. I’m looking forward to learning the timber framing art from Dylan and making Merck Forest as accessible as possible for everyone.