The Feather River Land Trust is building this barn in American Valley, off Quincy Junction Road. Photo by Laura Beaton

Laura Beaton

  The Feather River Land Trust is building a barn on its newly acquired 42-acre parcel in American Valley off Quincy Junction Road.

  Rob Wade, Learning Landscapes coordinator for FRLT, said that one generous private donor provided the majority of funds for the project. Two other donors have pitched in and the first phase of the project is nearly complete.

  Wade explained that the design and construction of the barn is consistent with the overall stewardship of the property and also honors the long tradition of agriculture in American Valley.

  The building was designed with input from many local barn aficionados and plans were drawn by Brett Marty, a Quincy High School graduate who has gone on to become an architect.

  The barn uses a post and beam construction style with a modified mortise and tenon joining technique. Meadow Valley resident Scott Stirling is the lead builder and has worked closely with Marty throughout the project.

  Whenever possible, local resources have been used. Sierra Pacific Industries’ Quincy mill has provided lumber at a discounted price. Many of the remaining materials were purchased at
Quincy-based Mountain Building Supply.

  Taylorsville’s Bill Battagin set up a solar electric system to provide most of the project’s energy needs.

  The barn will be used for the educational and stewardship purposes of FRLT’s Learning Landscapes program in a partnership with local schools to benefit outdoor education.

  Stewardship equipment and restoration tools will be stored in one wing of the barn, while the other will be reserved for agricultural resources.

  A primary outcome for the barn is to support the return of agricultural education to Quincy High School.

  “This felt like the right direction,” Wade said, “but working with QHS Principal Dr.
Sue Segura helped to confirm this priority.”

  The entire property, known as the Leonhardt Ranch Learning Landscape, acknowledges the historic ownership of the site and the ranching tradition that still continues.

  Situated right across the street from the QHS campus, the barn and property are as close as you can get to the students.

  When completed, the barn site will also provide a general gathering place for school, community and land trust events.

  The budget for the labor-intensive project is approximately $90,000. Due to the generosity of a few local donors, most of those funds have been received.

  “For the time being, we are just getting the roof on before winter fully sets in,” Wade said.

  The land trust is happy to receive donations designated for the barn project. Call 283-5758 or email kkleven@frlt.org for information.

  Construction will resume in the spring when weather and funding allow. A dedication ceremony is planned before the end of the school year.