The Farm Friends Barn organization in Becker continues to evolve, with an array of community-oriented educational offerings focused on agriculture taking center stage.

The latest addition to the property is a granary building that was secured from the former Morehouse Farm site on Elk Lake, which is now being developed into a regional park.

The granary is undergoing some remodeling and will house a soils demonstration, where visitors can learn about drainage, root structure and other aspects and effects of different types of soil materials.

Project organizer Jean Johnson reported that the RD Offut Family Foundation has provided a $2,500 grant towards the establishment of the display.

Johnson added that bids are being reviewed for a new building at the site, which will serve as the headquarters for the entire effort.  The indoor space will be heated, with restroom facilities and a meeting space that can be rented by community groups.  Classroom areas will be included to help the Farm Friends volunteers further their educational programming.  The new construction will allow the current barn to be used for its intended purpose and not have to function as a multi-purpose space.  

Johnson explained that the fundraising for the building will begin this fall, with a construction timeline slated for 2026.

Also in 2026, the Farm Friends Barn site will be home to the Becker community gardens, with a 100 by 45 foot space already set aside for the popular parcels.  Promotional materials are currently being put together and Johnson expects people to be able to secure their garden spot later this fall.

One of the sheds built last spring by the Becker High School Industrial Tech classes was recently purchased and moved onsite to store the gardening equipment, and in September, the school’s NHS chapter will be applying a coat of paint to help the structure blend in with the other buildings.

“We really value our partnerships with the school,” Johnson said.

Several events are planned in the coming months, including a Barn Quilt Class on September 27, and then in October the Becker Schools’ first graders will visit the site to harvest the gardens they planted last spring as Kindergartners.

The Holiday Porch Pot class will take place on November 1, while the porch pot sale will happen on November 7-8.  The ever popular Santa at the Barn event will again take place, with this year’s visit scheduled for December 16, dependent of course on the availability of Rudolph and all of the other reindeer.