Gill St. Bernard’s School Announces Completion of New Pole Barn at Home Winds Farm

By Associate Director of Marketing and Communications Kathleen Bartlett

Gill St. Bernard’s School is excited to announce the completion of a brand-new addition to our campus infrastructure: the Home Winds Pole Barn!

This thoughtfully designed structure was constructed with two specific needs in mind—hay storage and farming equipment housing—both of which are essential to the continued growth and sustainability of agricultural operations at Home Winds Farm.

Until now, GSB’s existing storage barn, originally built for dairy use, had limitations that made it ill-suited for modern farming needs. Its lower roofline could not accommodate traditional haying equipment, and its space is currently used for storing operations materials, tools, and equipment, as well as housing our operations workshop and repair area.

“The pole barn is a nice addition to Home Winds Farm and much needed,” said Director of Operations Helen Livingston. "It fills critical gaps by offering both high-capacity storage and functional workspace for maintaining agricultural machinery.”

In contrast to other visible structures on the farm—such as the ram shed and the sheep and poultry barn—the pole barn has a very different purpose. It is not designed to house animals, but instead to support farming infrastructure. It features a high-clearance roof, a heated workshop, running water, an indoor sink, and outdoor spigots—making it easier to fill animal water buckets and perform regular maintenance tasks.

“What many may not realize is that farming is highly infrastructure-dependent,” Farm Manager Ned Lincoln explained. “While agricultural buildings might appear similar from the outside, each serves a distinct function critical to the farm’s operation.”

The new pole barn allows GSB to store essential equipment—including two tractors, a brush hog, a tiller, and a manure spreader—out of the elements, which helps extend the lifespan of these tools. Additionally, the storage of hay—especially round bales—requires special consideration. Leaving dry hay outside exposes it to rain, which leaches vital nutrients. Alternatively, wrapping hay for outdoor storage risks damage from animals, which can tear the plastic and cause the bales to oxygenate and grow mold. By moving hay storage indoors, GSB can preserve its nutritional quality and ensure our animals are well-fed throughout the winter months.

What is a Pole Barn?

A pole barn, also known as a post-frame building, is a type of structure supported by large vertical posts set directly into the ground or mounted on a minimal foundation. With horizontal girts and roof trusses forming the frame, this style of building gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s as a cost-effective solution for agricultural needs.

True to this tradition, GSB’s new pole barn was constructed without a full foundation—just poles set directly into the earth—yet it offers robust shelter and durability. This efficient, functional design makes it a perfect fit for our evolving farm.

At GSB, our commitment to sustainability and hands-on learning continues to grow—just like the farm itself. The Home Winds Pole Barn is more than just a new building—it’s an investment in our animals, our land, and our students’ agricultural education.