I am the farm reporter for the Glengarry News, a small weekly paper out of Alexandria, Ontario.
I have been doing a picture and short commentary of a Glengarry barn every week ever since I started there three years ago.
That's a lot of barns - and there are a lot more to go in Glengarry!
This century farm east of Glen Sandfield is bordered by the train tracks that are used twice a week by a slow freight train. There are two distinct portions to this barn, each at 120 feet in length, that were built separately. The portion running east and west, which is the oldest part of the barn, was built in three sections with the original barn in the middle. The original piece was built in the late 1800s and the last piece of the east-west barn was built in the 1930s. “Farmers would do that,” said the owner. “They would add on to the barn as they got bigger.” The owner then added the north-south portion (the low red portion) of the barn in the 1970s and 80s, again doing it in three 40 foot sections over time. He has since modified this retired dairy barn to give access to his herd of Black Angus.
@cathrinemitch Well, I estimate that I have done around 160 to 180 so far, and I haven't even done half of them yet. There are easily 750 barns of all types in Glengarry.
It is my dream to start at one corner of Glengarry and take a picture of every barn. I would like to somehow do a history of Glengarry told through the barns ... who built them, who they were sold to, what animals were kept, the whole nine yards.
I always go talk to the farmers to get the information so I can include a short commentary with the picture. That is how i know so much about them.
My boss thought I was nuts when I pitched the idea of doing a barn feature at him and said I could try it for a week or two. I have been told that It is now one of the first things people (even non farmers) turn to. I even know a few people who cut out each weeks picture and put it into a scrapbook.
This is such a wonderful thing. I love going to the rural areas and taking pictures of barns, farms etc. It is so interesting to talk to the owners as the farm land in our are which is so rich in soil is sold off. David Suzuki once said, why are we building on our rich farmland when a house can be build on clay and rock.
Another interest is the history behind the farms, in one particular case my friend and I stopped to take a picture of a barn and old farm house. We were approached by the owner and we asked if we could take a picture of the old water pump close to the house. Discussions ensued, and he indicated he had sold the property to developers as he nor his family are interesting in farming. An interesting story developed about I believe his great, great grandfather who held the land deed for the property built a cabin or shed to live in. Once the main house was build they began getting visits from the natives of the land. He then started to put out clothing and food in the cabin/shed the native never bothered them again. What a story and many more like this. I must prepare a journal to record the stories to go with the pictures as you. You have definitely inspired me. Thank you for all of your posts they are so wonderful, sorry for rambling.
A wonderful inspired idea that has more than fulfilled your expectations....i wondered how you got your name, now we know!!!
You should be justly proud of your journalist career!
Barns always have history & it's good to read about them.
We are two of the readers who always look at the Barn of the Week. I didn't realize you'd only been doing for 3 years - that's around the time I moved here.
July 26th, 2013
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It is my dream to start at one corner of Glengarry and take a picture of every barn. I would like to somehow do a history of Glengarry told through the barns ... who built them, who they were sold to, what animals were kept, the whole nine yards.
I always go talk to the farmers to get the information so I can include a short commentary with the picture. That is how i know so much about them.
My boss thought I was nuts when I pitched the idea of doing a barn feature at him and said I could try it for a week or two. I have been told that It is now one of the first things people (even non farmers) turn to. I even know a few people who cut out each weeks picture and put it into a scrapbook.
Another interest is the history behind the farms, in one particular case my friend and I stopped to take a picture of a barn and old farm house. We were approached by the owner and we asked if we could take a picture of the old water pump close to the house. Discussions ensued, and he indicated he had sold the property to developers as he nor his family are interesting in farming. An interesting story developed about I believe his great, great grandfather who held the land deed for the property built a cabin or shed to live in. Once the main house was build they began getting visits from the natives of the land. He then started to put out clothing and food in the cabin/shed the native never bothered them again. What a story and many more like this. I must prepare a journal to record the stories to go with the pictures as you. You have definitely inspired me. Thank you for all of your posts they are so wonderful, sorry for rambling.
You should be justly proud of your journalist career!
Barns always have history & it's good to read about them.