It’s more than just a barn to the family who built it
BARK RIVER -- Restoring a piece of history. That's what crews were doing Thursday at the Fudala barn in Bark River.
It was one of five winners nationwide in the Campbell Soup Company's "Help Grow Your Soup" program.
Pam Konkel was born and raised on the farm. Her grandfather built the barn with his bare hands over a century ago.
Although it's now owned by the Fudala family, she says it still feels like home, and coming back to help restore a piece of family history brings back both memories and emotions.
"I've had pictures and memories of this place my whole life and now it's, it's actually coming to be and I get to help, so, it's wonderful," said Konkel.
Over 100 volunteers came out to help Thursday; sixty-five of them are FFA students from not only the Midwest, but as far south as New Mexico. They all found it rewarding.
"I've never seen anything this green, with this much water; this place is just great, and it was really amazing to get to come out here," said New Mexico FFA student, Johnryan Ulibarri.
Back in January, votes came in from twenty different states to make the Fudala barn one of five to be preserved through the Campbell Soup program.
The current owners jumpstarted the campaign, but they credit the community for making a day like this happen.
"We just can't thank everyone enough for their votes and support, and there's been too many barns lost to the elements, and we're just so thankful our barn is going to be restored and hopefully be around for another 100 years or more," said current owner, Barbara Atencio.
Crews will be back out early Friday morning to begin restoring the inside of the barn. They hope to have the entire project complete by the end of the day Friday and will host a celebration and dedication ceremony on Saturday at noon.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC