On the Farm: Barn Quilts
In March, the Botetourt/Alleghany Young Farmers group was formed. Our mission and goals revolve around the future of the agricultural world. We spend lots of time developing programs to showcase the agriculture industry to youth and to find ways to support local 4H and FFA chapters. We strive to impact our local community by volunteering and developing book drives, food drives, and other community service events. We have been in the process of holding multiple fundraisers to allow ourselves to make a more prominent impact within our community. Our fundraisers include, t-shirts, towels, bags, pallet gardens, and chalkboards, but our biggest and most passionate fundraiser is barn quilts.
All along interstates and highways, old barns can be seen speckled with signs and pictures. These pictures are commonly known as barn quilts or barn squares. They can be small, or they can be rather large. The meaning behind the barn quilts is different depending on the person. The quilts can honor a loved one’s death or a new birth. It can also be a way to deter hawks from one’s property. The true meaning behind each quilt comes from the one who is purchasing or creating the quilt.
A barn “quilt” is a picture painted on a piece of plywood to be hung outside for all to see. Many people hang them on barns closest to the highway or on sheds and houses for all to see. Some people will buy quilts that include logos like John Deere or Case IH, while others prefer the squares and triangles of many colors that bring light to the world. A lot of times, the quilts are in flower patterns or seasonal patterns. Typically, they represent a person’s passion.
The barn quilts that we make portray our passion for agriculture. We have been making sunflowers, John Deere quilts, red, white, and blue cow quilts and all sorts. We put our heart and soul in each one and individualize them to give people what they want. We take special orders that can include someone giving us a design or just colors to work with. The quilts take a minimum of two weeks to perfect. We meticulously draw out and paint multiple layers on each quilt. Once they are completed, we promise the best quality product and to fix them if something were to happen.
We chose barn quilts because of their connection to agriculture and people. We wanted to find a way to make ourselves known and to give back to the community that has always been there for us. We took on the challenge of creating and building the barn quilts to meet more people and to help others express themselves. The barn quilts are so much more than just paint on plywood. They are a way to connect people within the agricultural world and community.
If you are interested in customized barn quilt, please contact us at court14@vt.edu or come see us at the Botetourt County Fair August 9-10th.
Submitted and ohoto by Courtney Henderson special to the Botetourt Bee.