On August 29, we officially got our agricultural exempt permit for the whole property. It only took us 349 days.

Now we wait some more. This time for construction crews. Cleary Builders, who is doing the pole barn is saying we are on their schedule for February, 2024. We are hoping as we get into colder weather that date will be moved up, but we don’t know.

We are able to start clearing the areas for both buildings now and also clearing out the brush for our new driveway, which we are required to make.

Here is a panoramic view of before:

So we got to cutting down pine trees. We have chain saws, so why not. It’s not like it’s dangerous or anything.

Kevin’s old neighbor, John, helped us. We also had the father of one of our lesson students volunteer to help us. He has a tractor with a grapple attachment. His name is Jeff and he runs a beach cleaning service called The Beach Comber. So, if anyone needs that kind of work done, he’s great. Below you will see him in action.

We started by cutting off branches and cutting the trunks into smaller pieces, but then realized, the equipment could handle carrying the whole tree. Much easier.

Yes, we are all totally bad ass.

Here is what it looked like when we were done.

Then the next day Bob Mahoney Excavating came and dug up all the stumps and leveled things some. Also a very good person to use if you have any excavating needs in Illinois or Wisconsin.

Below is after the trunks were removed and everything cleared.

He also cleared brush in front of the road for where our new driveway is going. This is what it looked like before.

This is after.

We now have a pile of trees and brush the height of a two-story building. You can’t burn in unincorporated Lake County, IL until Nov 1 – March 30. So, it sits, for now. And it smells like Christmas when you pass by.