Garden Plans

New Shop Plans and Revealing the Winter Restoration Project



Surprises for both the new shop and the tractor to be restored this winter…

For Farm / Channel merchandise: https://farmfocused.com/just-a-few-acres-farm/

-We do not offer farm tours or accept visitors
-We do not sell from the farm
-We do not ship our farm’s products
-We do not sell live animals

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46 Comments

  1. A few things which keep coming up in the comments, which I want to answer in a blanket fashion, using the same K.I.S.S. attitude exhibited in the video:
    1. Raising the roof of the shop and/or putting in a taller door: This is a whole lot of work for little benefit. I DO NOT DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE in this shop. Twice or 3 times per year I pull a tractor in for major work. I either duck my head or push the tractor in as seen in this video. I will not be going through the extensive work of raising the roof to avoid ducking my head or pushing a tractor in.
    2. Putting the freezers in the existing shop: I greatly value the 18' width of this bay, vs. the 12' width of the bays in the garage. That extra 6' makes a huge difference in versatility.
    3. Putting the shop in the new addition: It doesn't work from a site traffic flow point of view. The freezer addition works great there. Also see #1; a higher ceiling is not a big issue.
    4. Building a walk-in freezer: Bluntly, they suck. See my previous video on walk-in vs chest freezers.
    5. An upstairs wood shop: I do not mind walking up stairs. If mobility issues arise as I age, I can move the woodworking equipment back downstairs.

  2. I happen to agree. Make the most of existing assets. Having said that I would consider a taller door.
    Thank you Pete. If you go i will miss you. I tend to prioritize your videos.

  3. Options are always a smarter strategy, sometimes. Great plan, you've obviously put a lot of thought into this and I agree with your decisions. I too, have a couple of projects at my house and I've been thinking for a few years what would be the best, most cost effective way to utilize and convert the spaces I have in mind. Those storage trusses you put in the upstairs are really going to pay off. I did the same to my garage when I built my house. Have a great holiday season, Pete and hello to Hillary!

  4. I just love your laid back way an how you care about the Animals an Tractors an cook Chicken or steak an Pork an talk to us So relaxing an ENJOYABLE if l were you WOULD’NT change a thing👏👏👏 It’s yours an Hillary’s Life an live it as you Please!! Please don’t step away We all Appreciate You an Hillary an ANIMAL’S an TRACTORS an MOWING the fields!! God Bless an Merry Christmas 🎄 an Happy New Year 🎉😇😇😇🕊

  5. Please take the time you need to come to a place of peace with your channel. I would truly miss you, your humor, wisdom, and philosophical viewpoint. But, inner peace is more valuable than social discord on the internet. Be well, have a great holiday with your family.

  6. Look for a used walk-in freezer, that should solve a lot of space issues if your current freezers take up too much space. There are companies that buy up used restaurant equipment all over the internet. Good luck- love your posts!

  7. Everything you outlined makes sense, some of which had entered my mind over the past six months. But in t he back of my mind I kept think how a modern quonset hut could serve your needs.
    BTW, you have the best-ever co-owner working by your side. She handled steering the big tractor like a pro, which she is. Looking forward to viewing your blueprints of the winter builds.
    👍👍👍

  8. You think like me. I watch the new generation and watch the debt level go sky high. I prefer to make due and save. I sure sleep easier at night without worrying about how am I going to get by. That is no way to live.
    👍👍

  9. Great use of space you already have and it's just common sense. I guess that since you're an architect by trade, you'll be drawing up the plans for the extension and then acting as Project Manager scheduling contractors, etc. Reallly looking forward to the evolution of your humble family farm! Also, what about adding a small bathroom while you're at it?

  10. You are such an inspiration … my wife and I are buying 10 acres in the south west U K..and grow cider trees..we are working hard to make ends meet.. watching your channel gives us great guidance for the future..thanks so much John and Sarah…

  11. I like your ideas. As someone who has designed buildings too, and as someone who hates to waste money, I can certainly see where you are coming from. Your thoughts seem well thought out. $100,000 is nothing to sneeze at, and something that can make retirement a little easier.

  12. Hi from Otsego county. Your current plan sounds like an excellent one. Of course everyone wants to be helpful and put their two cents in- that is human nature. You explained everything very well and it all makes perfect sense. Don't let the suggestions put you off the videos, we all really enjoy them. Curious to hear of pig updates but that will be a while to see what unfolds there.
    Sounds like snow tonight.

  13. Hey Pete. Glad to see comments back on. Was concerned that you may have received an offensive comment. Re-watched your video “Is Youtube worth….” You mentioned Evan and Wes’s channels. Starting watching them now. Great guys. All three share a positive attitude, no nonsense, no sarcasm and no cutting to irrelevant digressions. Looking forward to your next video. Michael, Norwalk Ct.

  14. Exactly. I see far too many people overspending on things like that, putting in lifts, buying tools they never use, etc.

  15. Very well thought out plan, it will be exciting to see the build out of the new shops! And if in the future if you do find a project that doesn't quite fit you could probably use the upper barn for the major teardown and then take everything down to the shop for the bulk of the work. Yes more work with the shuffling but gets it done.

  16. Good old common sense. It’s in short supply in most of the world. Watching your channel restores my hope! Keep up the great work, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

  17. I’m looking forward to watching you build, switch, and change things around as you adjust to suit your needs. ❤

  18. I get it, I also read and think I may understand the comments. But just like your upgraded pickup truck or remodeled house, you would find the shop is NOT used just 3 times a year. I am approaching semi retired in the next few years, having sold most of my business endeavors, leaving me with little shop responsibility. However, I use my 36x54x16 foot shop, like ALL THE TIME! My only regret is I did not do it SOONER and I did not go BIGGER. You can not take it with you and its not like you "blew" the money. You are adding value and equity to your property, just like the remodeling of your home or having in some sense a reliable vehicle like your pickup truck. Sometimes the ROI is just WORTH IT folks. My dad was very conservative, so much so that he missed many or even MOST opportunities because he did not recognize and CAPITALIZE on opportunities to improve the property's value, him and his family's quality of life or investments. In his late life he repeated how amazed he was at my success. I basically tried to understand that there is a most assuredly a time to be conservative and cheap. That said, I simply disagree with you Pete, I would return your garage to a garage and reconsider the shop. There is also a time to just get it done already, yesterday, adding the value to your property and your life! Knowing the difference between the two, what your short and long term ROI is, I believe is what is important to understand imho. If I look back on my life, I do not regret any investments I made, BUT I HAVE a lot of regret on investments I failed to do or screwed around hemming and hawing and completed late. Just my two cents and what my look back seems to be.

  19. I'm behind you on what ever decision you go on your shop do hope you keep up loading videos as I enjoy them and agree spending the money for a new shop is only the beginning around my area then comes the increase in property tax on and on never ends

  20. Hi Pete, I was going to drop a comment of thanks, but wasn't able to. I hope everything is okay and that nothing bad has happened. Or that you're not so sick of comments that you've had the last straw. I'm amazed by the sorts of things people comment on freely, without concern and or consideration for you awesome You Tubers. You're providing us with entertainment, knowledge, information to mention but a few things.
    You need to build whatever shop, storage works for you and your farm/family, Pete. If you don't ask for suggestions maybe viewers could just keep their thoughts/suggestions to themselves, just my opinion, obviously.
    Just glad there's an option to let you know how much I enjoy the great content from across all aspects of the farm, thank you again. Seasons Greetings from a wet and windy Scotland. Regards Ian

  21. Good for you! Do what is right for you! Not what your viewers think is right! I will continue to watch your channel no matter what unless you quit eating meat…I guess I would still watch your channel.

  22. Pete, I hope that bad actors watching your videos haven't upset you to the point that you will stop making videos. You do a great job and I have learned a lot from just watching you, no matter what the topic. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. God Bless you and all of your family.

  23. Could you put the freezers in the wood storage area at the back of the shop and make something else for the firewood? Might be cheaper to close in that area and not change the layout too much.

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