The Old Milk Shed

Jim Gupta-Carlson "The Milk Shed" 2013

The old milk shed is the centerpiece of our yard - I believe referred to in the deed in 1951 as a "tool shed".  Farming was first mentioned in our deed in 1869 - in reference to an easement for the purpose of transporting by team manure and produce.  It has not been used for milk since at least the 1940's and probably longer ago than that.  Precious owners used it as a tool shed until we purchased the farm and the mortgage company kindly requested that the previous owner remove the roof prior to closing.  For three years I have used it to hold compost and as a place to rest with coffee or beer during the work day.  In the spring and fall I stash layers that are not needed in the warm sun.  This middle area of the back yard - with a dozen or so dead pine trees that I cut down this summer and never pruned or fertilized apple trees (including the stump of a dead apple tree in the front) is the last part of our the yard to be rehabilitated from the race track years.  The trees will become firewood and the brush and branches will be one hell of a bonfire this Thanksgiving.  The milk shed will get reroofed and will be our chicken coop the year after next.  In a few years time there will be healthy topsoil again where there is now dead trees and sand.