Container provides colorful storage

She and husband Hans use a refrigerated shipping container on the farm to store fresh fruit and vegetables in the summer and other un-insulated containers to store tools.

“A lot of farmers are starting to use these. It’s a lot cheaper than buying something permanent,” says Bishop, of PrairiErth Farm in Logan County.

The freight containers can be found in different shapes, sizes, condition and prices, to buy or rent.

The biggest problem was the rusty, 40-foot container — sitting at the front of the 360-acre organic farm where the washing and packaging is done — was unsightly, she said. That’s where Charlie Rogucki, a local artist, came in.

He met the Bishops at the Bloomington farmers market.

Rogucki, who is the art director for State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, said he likes to paint on interesting items.

“I’ll paint on just about anything other than canvas — on metal lying around or on old door,” he said.

Or, the Bishop’s old shipping container.

His style, with bright bold colors and broad strokes, captures the personality of PrairiErth Farm, Bishop said.

“This is the biggest I’ve done to date,” he said of the 10 ft. high and 40 ft. long shipping container.

He started painting it on Aug. 21, working on weekends to finish Sept. 8 in time for PrairiErth Farm’s field day.

For the Bishops, the process of seeing the container being painted has been fun.

“Here he comes again,” said Katie, as her father-in-law Dave Bishop drove up on the tractor to see the progress. “He does that every couple of hours.”

The Bishops paid about $500 for materials.

“It was easy. All we had to do was power wash it and add a primer coat,” she said.

Rogucki’s reward is a mini-vacation for his family. His wife and three children camped at the farm on weekends while he worked. The kids enjoyed the animals and crops while their dad painted on his largest “canvas” to date.

“They’re having a blast,” he said with a grin. “As part of the experience, you are painting the cows and have flies all over you.”

Through the process, the scene changed by request, adding cows. That idea came from Dave wanting to show the biodiversity of the farm. The mural shows the farm’s “closed loop” now, with the fertilizer from the cows helping nurture the crops as part of the cycle, Rogucki said.

The Bishops joked he would have a whole Noah’s Ark before he was done because everyone who passed by suggested another animal be added to reflect the population on the farm.

“You see more art on grain bins and barns now,” Katie noted.

The bright colors of the rural mural will stand out in the winter, she said, looking at the farm scene.

“It’s cool to have a landmark piece,” she said.