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Fertile Valley Seed Farm / Sugar Bowl Block

FERTILE VALLEY SEED FARM

6183 Sheridan Rd.
Unionville, MI 48767
Block: Sugar Bowl

 


John Treiber built this barn in the late 1800’s. The south half of the barn was built first and the north
half of the barn and the south end garage were added a few years later.  The barn was originally used
for milking cows, horses, and storage of grains, straw, and hay from the farm. The barn was originally red. 

Jesse Treiber converted the north end of the barn to a certified seed storage and processing facility in the
early 1930’s after his return from World War I. He founded the name Fertile Valley Seed Farm. He also
painted the barn its pale shade of yellow that it is today.  Elmo Treiber continued the certified seed
 business and farm following his return from the service in the 1950’s.  Elmo added a certified seed sign
to the end of the barn and the barn looked like a face. Connie Treiber, Elmo’s youngest daughter thought
the face should have a smile and painted the ends of the mouth up to form a smile. Paul Treiber continues
to farm today. He has converted the farm to organic farming. The barn is still used to store
 grains.
The processing equipment is still used to process some crops for seed to be used on the farm.
The barn still has animals primarily as pets and steers for meat for the family.  The barn has been
 modified some to store taller equipment today.

The barn’s color makes it stand out from other barns in the area. It is the only barn left in the area
that is painted pale yellow. The smiley face on the end is another big feature that stands out to
people driving on M-25.  A few people have stopped to get pictures with the smiling barn and a few
wedding pictures have been taken by the barn.


The Sugar Bowl Block was selected to replace the certified seed sign as the nose on the face. The pattern
was chosen to help highlight the face on the end of the barn. This block is in memory of Jesse and
Amanda Treiber and Doris Treiber, and in honor of Elmo Treiber.


Directions: The barn is 1/2 mile west of the railroad tracks in Unionville on M-25 and 1/2 mile south
on Sheridan Rd.
The barn can be seen from M-25.


Safety and Respecting Private Property~
All sites are on private property and should be viewed from the public road unless otherwise indicated at the
site that it is a business open to the public. We are indebted to our barn hosts for their generosity.
When viewing and enjoying the barns and blocks use caution when slowing or stopping near a site.