Old Corn Crib and an Amish question

[alpacamom]

We have an old corn crib on the property that is probably 100+ years old. It's in excellent condition for the most part. We have to fix the roof on the north side, but the south side of the roof has metal over it. We'll never use it for its intended purpose, but short of being a tractor garage, is there a way we can convert it and use it for critters?

Would you recommend not converting it and leaving it as is and just parking the tractor in it? We won't have any room in the barn for it and I don't want to evict my truck from the shop. Maybe the 2 can share. We'll have to see about that. During the summer, my truck can stay outside, but with winter in full swing in Eastern Iowa, I keep it in the heated shop.

Also, I've heard people around here saying that they got the Amish to do jobs for them. Where would a person find someone Amish to hire and what kinds of deals tend to get worked out with them?

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by alpacamom

Also, I've heard people around here saying that they got the Amish to do jobs for them. Where would a person find someone Amish to hire and what kinds of deals tend to get worked out with them?

I hired Amish to side and roof the old farmhouse and put a new tin roof on the barn. They charged me by the hour and were reasonable and hard working. If you can pick them up it will save you money, otherwise you have to pay their driver. Ask your neighbors if they have hired any Amish and you may get some good recommendations. If that doesn't work then just ask one of them directly and they will tell you who to visit (not call). With the Amish it is all cash.

[brownegg]

The corn crib could be altered to suit any type of animals, including chickens.

Talk to the people who know were the Amish live and pay them a visit.
The farm next to me is Amish and I deal with them for different things.

The Amish in our area will help you out if you help them out.

Some of the familys specialize in some things and some in others, for them it's a communal thing where everyone works together to obtain the end goal.

[Jack_IA]

Depending where in iowa you are there is a community of amish in the fairbank - hazelton area. and probably more elsewhere.

[rambler]

Typical corncrib here in the midwest:

Two sides of crib about 6-7 feet wide, with a 8-12 foot or so isle down the middle for machinery. On top in the peak may be room for more corn (over the machinery area) or possibly bins for grain - oats, wheat, flax, barley. Often they are about 40 feet long.

So it looks like you have a nice building 40 feet by 24 feet, pretty sweet to use......

But if you look around, you realize they are built kinda odd, with the inside machinery tunnel walls supporting the roof. So you can't easily cut out the inside & have a full clear building - the roof would fall in. You need to do some serious re-trussing of the roof to make a nice clear-span building.

Also, most often those 7' crib sides are built up 8-12 inches higher than the middle machinery area. Removing & leveling this concrete takes some money too.

If you have to hire it done, & if the roof is already shot, many find on a dollar basis, level the old building & start over with a new one. You get more building for less money.

Me, I like to save the old buildings too. It can be done, many have been converted. Just do your homework to make sure you get what you want for the cost.

A lot of them are turned into calf barns. put wire cattle panels down the sides, making the crib areas into raised calf pens, and store your feeding materials, sick pen, etc down the middle. Then you can leave the inner & outer wooden frame, tin the outside, and a pretty useable building for not much investment. Probably adaptable to other livestock as well.

If I missed the mark on the building you are starting with, sorry.

--->Paul

[alpacamom]

Paul (rambler), you hit the nail on the head with your description of our corn crib. It's a very sturdy building...there is just one support in the north side section that needs to be replaced/repaired, but the rest is sound. I don't know what it looks like above the lower level because I'm afraid to go up the ladder to the upper part. I love that it's the coolest part on the hill when it's hot outside. If you open the doors on the west and east, the wind just blows on through and it's delightful! Right now, the side sections have "junk" in them that the previous owner left behind that we have to go through.

I'll ask around about who has used the Amish to help with projects and go visit with them. Good idea...I hadn't thought about them not having phones. I know there are a bunch in Kalona, but I think that's about 45 mins away or so. I'm pretty sure there are some in the Amana Colonies though. Also, good idea about picking them up vs paying their driver.

Thanks a ton!

[jamesdel]

Not to thread jack or anything but the Amish in Jamesport Mo" largest colony in Missouri" most have cell phones.
Jim

[fantasymaker]

Could you use a corn crib? Hay storage? put corn shocks in it? other storage? Often times you can put doors in the outside walls between the support posts and store small machinery in that area.

[MullersLaneFarm]

Paula,
The Kalona area (about 20-30 minutes south of IA City) has the largest Amish/Mennonite community west of the Mississippi (Paul & I honeymooned there!)

Go to the the community store (ask at the gas station or museum in town how to get there) and ask there if they know if anyone is hiring out.

The Amana colonies aren't Amish / Mennonites.

It isn't uncommon to see Amish/Mennonite folks with cars and cell phones. Depending which branch of the Amish/Mennonite they belong to dictates what they can an can not do.

'no electricity from the grid' can still use kerosene freezers & fridges & gas generated electricity. Some in 'steel wheel only' will use modern day farm equipment, with tracks (like a tank) instead of rubber wheels.

[johnlaurel1]

Originally Posted by Ford8N

I hired Amish to side and roof the old farmhouse and put a new tin roof on the barn. They charged me by the hour and were reasonable and hard working. If you can pick them up it will save you money, otherwise you have to pay their driver. Ask your neighbors if they have hired any Amish and you may get some good recommendations. If that doesn't work then just ask one of them directly and they will tell you who to visit (not call). With the Amish it is all cash.

Hi Ford8N, I came across your post while searching for Amish Builders in my area, Sauk County- near Baraboo. I was hoping you could help me locate a builder for a front porch I wish to put on my old farm house. I am willing to pick them up and drop them off and like the the idea of an hourly pay as I can do what I wish to as well on the project. Your ideas or contacts would be greatly appreciated, John

[FarmboyBill]

It figgers. Ive got to build a crib here