Oh, what beautiful weather today! With the relative warmth and the sun it's hard to believe that it is January (both a blessing and a curse because we could actually use some winter rain). Energy farm regulars Jason Bradford, Christoffer Hansen, and David Drell worked to string straight wire across the northern and the western fence-lines. At the end of November we slammed green T-Posts along the north and west fence lines. Click here to revisit that blog. Since there is already a chain-link fence on those sections we installed the T-posts so that we could extend the height of the existing fence in order to discourage deer from jumping over. Today we made use of those posts as we stretched three lengths of straight wire (electric fence material) along the tops of each section.

The method is fairly straight forward. We would tie an end of the wire off to one of the steel corner posts, unroll the wire until we reach the other steel post, attach an "inline strainer" to the steel pole, and ratchet the wire until we obtain the desired tension. For those unfamiliar with the term inline strainer it is basically a ratchet that you wind the wire into as a way to create tension on the wire. After the strand of wire was tight we used fencing clips to secure it to the T-posts, and then, for added strength, tied the T-posts to the horizontal pole on the fence. As a way to support the steel poles and add strength and rigidity to the project we secured the steel poles to each other or already secure fence posts on the existing chain-link fence.

About two weeks ago we visited the farm site and patched a hole that existed in the northwest corner. From the hoof prints in the mud, the path through the fence resembled a deer freeway-giving the deer unlimited access to the site. After patching that hole we have not seen any sign of new entry by the deer. The patched hole coupled with the three strands of wire makes access all the more difficult for the deer to leap over. It is conceivable that we have completely finished the perimeter fencing project. Our goal was to have built a fence that would keep out the deer and rabbits and so far there has been little sign of the their presence!

Additionally, we moved the toolbox down to the farm site. It took three people to load it into the back of a truck and unloaded it at the end of the vehicle path. I think it will take four people to move it to its final place.

Unrolling Wire

Threading In-Line Strainer

Installed In-line Strainers

Looking Down the Northern Fence Line

Hole in Northwest Corner of Fence

Hole After Being Patched

A beautiful sunny day at the farm proved to be the perfect opportunity to put some final touches on the perimeter fencing at the farm site at Brookside Elementary. The two main jobs for this afternoon were to put latches on the newly hung gates and to close off 18-inch sections on the southwest and northeast ends of the perimeter. By the time today’s projects were finished there was only two methods of entering the farm site—through the gates or over the fence.

David and Jason worked to install the latches on the aluminum gates. This project required the use of drill to make a small hole in the gate frame and one hole into the steel post. Then David used a dye to create threads inside the steel post in order to insert a machine screw. This machine screw was not inserted too tight because it was intended to be a hinge point for the “levering” aspect of the latch. The hole in the gate was used to connect the locking mechanism of the latch. The mechanism is a ringlet that is lifted to open the gate or allowed to fall which locks and acts as the closure.

Kristen Bradford and Christoffer worked on sealing the open sections located in the corners. Three six foot tall cedar planks were used to close each gap. Kristen engineered a clever way to weave the wire so that the planks would not be able to be jostled out of place and would remain supported.

Later in the day Christoffer and Jason created the arm that will be used to support the weather station. An arm was created in order to hold the weather station off a wooden pole in hopes that the pole will not significantly influence accurate collection of rain or wind. Each piece of the arm is made from salvaged redwood. The plan is to install the weather station tomorrow afternoon.

Using a Dye to Make Threads in the Steel Post 

Close-Up of the Latching Mechanism

Kristen and Christoffer Securing Planks in Northeast Corner

The Weather Station Support Arm Ready For Installation

Today David Drell met up with me to make the final push towards getting the gates installed at Brookside Elementary. Eight days ago, Jason and I prepared the gates by tying mesh fencing wire to them. At that point, all we had left to do was to insert steel sheet rock screws with ¼ inch fender washers to assure a strong hold. The idea is that the washers firmly pinch the wire to the aluminum frame of the gate.

David and I developed a method where I would first drill a hole into the aluminum frame then David would follow up with another drill to tighten the screw and washer to the fence. Before long we had finished making the connections and were ready to load up the gates and haul them down to the energy farm site.

There was a certain degree of anticipation as we hung the first two aluminum gates. The dimensions of the gates are 6ft x 10ft for the vehicle entrance gate and 6ft x 6ft for the main walking entrance gate. To our delight the gates fit just about perfectly on their hinges and are able to be moved to open with the touch of your little finger!

The final gate to be hung was the cedar gate that Jason and I made in his shop earlier in the week. This gate is intended to be an optional walk-in entrance. David and I put the hinge on the gate earlier in the day and at that time we measured the distance between the center of the top hinge and the center of the bottom hinge. This measurement was our guide to begin drilling hinge-holes through one of the steel posts. We wanted to take our time to make sure that we got these holes correct or the gate would be difficult to open. Again, luck or skill was on our side; we hit the right measurements and hung the gate.

Christoffer and David Attaching Screws to Gate 

Screws and Washers Clamping Wire to Gate

David With Vehicle Gate 

David Next to Main Walk-In Gate 

Christoffer Drilling Steel Post for Cedar Gate Hinge 

Since Friday the weather in Willits has been very rainy. Jason Bradford and I took refuge from the rain in the dry confines of his shop and set to work building a walk-in gate for the farm site. Jason had some fairly nice cedar planks that he had been saving and offered them to the fencing project without hesitation. This gate will allow access to the south west corner of the farm site.

It did not take long to complete the cedar gate. We made a few cuts with the hand saw and attached the vertical planks to the horizontal planks with ¼” bolts. Like the rest of the fence, the gate is six feet tall.

I also worked on setting-up the ambient weather station from Davis Instruments. This specific unit is able to record barometric pressure, humidity and dew point, rainfall, temperature, and the speed and direction of the wind. Today’s indoor setup involved attaching the anemometer and wind vane and checking each of the sensors to make sure they are working. Luckily, there were no major issues with the set-up and we are looking forward to mounting the unit very soon at the farm site.

Jason Using The Handsaw On A Cedar Plank 

Jason Putting Fence Together With Bolts 

Christoffer Making Measurements On The Diagonal Support

The goal of today's task was to prepare the gates for final installation. As you will notice from the pictures, there are large gaps between the bracing of the gates, especially on the bottom. To prevent the rabbits from gaining access through the gates Jason Bradford and I tied a large section of mesh fencing to each gate. We will complete the gate preparations by inserting some screws and washers to the aluminum frames. These washers will act like a clamp, pinching the wire to the frame. After the screws and washers are installed, the gates will be ready to hang.

Christoffer Tying Wire Onto Gate 

10ft Wide Access Gate With Mesh Attached 

Walk-In Gate With Mesh Wire Attached

It has been a stellar week of sunny weather and we are really making progress with the fence project. Today, Jason Bradford, David Drell, and Christoffer Hansen finished the last piece of fencing for the eastern perimeter. This was the last section of fence that we needed to stretch with the come-along tools. Jason and Christoffer attached the fencing to the steel posts, David set the come-alongs and we stretched the final section. The next project will be to install the gates.

It was really quite fun to be at work on the fence today. We were all making jokes and laughing a lot. I felt fortunate to be in the sin and having good time while working. Laughter not only makes the time go faster but it is wonderful for morale.

David and Curtis Unrolling the Wire

David and Jason setting tension with come-along tools 

Finished Eastern Perimeter

Another great day of weather at the Willits Energy Farm site. Bob Harper and Jason Bradford teamed with fence regulars David Drell and Christoffer Hansen to get to work on the eastern permiter fence. It was business as usual as Bob helped get the fence prepared and the come-alongs set. David and Christoffer tied off to one steel post and the fence was tensioned. Jason met up with the work crew and helped get the fence aligned as we applied the appropriate tension. We clamped the tensioned wire off and secured the fencing to the other steel post like usual. Jason followed up securing the mesh fencing to te green t-posts and the first eastern section was finished.

Wire placed on eastern perimeter awaiting tension

Bob and David attaching comealong tools

Jason clamping the fence to green posts

Completed fence on eastern perimeter

The California sun was high in the sky as David, Jason, and Christoffer headed down to the Brookside Farm to install another portion of the fence. This small part of the fence is located by the walk-in gate. Although we stretched only a couple of feet of fencing, the project proves itself to be time consuming because there are multiple strands of wire to secure to the steel corner posts. So, we could stretch 150ft or 3ft and it takes the same amount of time to complete that section.

Like before the process involves first tying the wire to the steel corner post, then creating tension with two hand winches, clamping the newly stretched wire to the post it will be tied to, removing the tension, and then securing the tensioned wire to the other steel post.

Jason and Dave tensioning wire with come-along tools

Clamps to hold the tension so we can tie the wire

Completed section of fencing by walk-in gate

The fencing project is in a holding pattern today. It was a good opportunity to enjoy a little quiet time at the farm site and clean up parts of the fence that had loose wire sticking out. I simply took a pair of wire cutters and snipped off large strands of wire that were left over from tying the fencing to the steel posts. As I turned to leave the site I noticed the moon rising and thought it would be nice to share. This moon is following the same path as the sun in June. What this means is long full moon nights with the moon high in the sky and directly overhead. This shot of the moon is an indication of how the sun might rise on at the Brookside Farm site in the summer.

Extra wire after tying off to post

After the extra strands are clipped

Moon rising over the farm

Lately the mornings in Willits have been very cold. However, by 12:00 the fog has lifted, the ice melted, and the sun shines bright. Today, we took advantage of the California sun as Jason Bradford, David Drell, and Christoffer Hansen divided up to complete multiple tasks related to the fence.

Jason got working on placing fencing clips along the entire length of mesh fencing that has been stretched over the last couple of weeks. Using a nail and pliers he attached wire clamps to the green fence posts, firmly securing the mesh fencing to them. The result is a fully attached fence ready to stand its ground against predators.

After placing green fence posts at twelve foot intervals along the already existing north and west chain-link fence, Christoffer set off to pound them into the ground up to a height of six feet. The tools for the job included a standard post-driver and a ladder. We are placing these posts along the already existing fence because at heights of four to five feet it is not tall enough to deter the deer from leaping over. Thus, a strand of galvanized wire will be stretched along the top of the green posts in order to reach the desired height of six feet. Today thirty eight posts were slammed in against the chain-link fence.

David began twisting multiple strands of wire along the large steel posts that exist in the middle and on the corners of each part of the fence. The stretched fence is anchored to one steel post in a two-post, t-formation. Therefore, wire needs to be attached to the other steel post in that “T” so that the fence can remain rigid next to the post. In a task that accomplishes the same result as Jason’s wire clamps, David cut a piece of wire, attached it to the fence, wrapped it around the post to the other side, and attached it there. He finishes the job by twisting the wire with pliers in order to really tighten it to the fence and the steel post.

Jason using a nail and pliers to clamp fencing to posts

Christoffer driving green posts to a height of six feet

David twisting wire around steel suppot post