Starting Our Farm Market & One Room Schoolhouse | Welcome Sign Install
Imagine pulling up to a farm market and schoolhouse.
Kids laughing. Animals nearby. A place that feels steady, safe, and full of purpose.
That vision doesn’t start with a grand opening or a finished building.
It starts with something much simpler: a welcome sign.
It may look like a small project, but it marks the beginning of a 12-month build toward our farm market and schoolhouse—home to both locally raised food and the future Kidsteaders Schoolhouse, where kids learn by doing.
Why a Welcome Sign Matters
This sign does more than greet visitors. It hides a utility box, sets the tone for what’s coming, and quietly says, you belong here. Like most things on a farm, the details matter—placement, height, durability, and how it feels when you step back and look at it.
I spent time thinking through post spacing, staying safely away from electrical lines, and choosing a height that felt right. Six boards felt too tall. Five boards—28 inches—was just right. Practical decisions, but ones that shape first impressions.
Built to Last
With a 30-inch frost line, every measurement mattered. The posts were set deep, elevated just enough to prevent rot, and aligned carefully around the electrical box. After a little digging (and a few country songs), the structure was solid, level, and ready for boards.
From there, it was all about character.
The homespun look came together as the boards went on, followed by trim, a ridge cap, and finishing details. Black trim. White panels. Classic contrast. Timeless. Familiar.
Everything was disassembled, painted, and reassembled with intention—marking each piece so it went back exactly where it belonged.
A Sign of What’s to Come
By the end, the welcome sign stood finished on both sides, clean and complete. A rainbow appeared in the distance—a quiet reminder of how precious life and this work really are.
The farm sign itself arrived shortly after, and with it, the next step forward. Plans are officially in motion with our general contractor to build the farm store and transition the barn to white board-and-batten siding in spring 2026.
This wasn’t just a sign install.
It was a signal.