I find that most tools just appear in your inventory, I'm 54and I've had it for awhile... I checked fish hut carpenter hut and workshop and I didn't see any options, or the classic "you already own this item". It might be a glitch in the system :/

I disagree, at the beginning I think you should start with the carpenter hut and work shop. Storage is the most important by far! I dislike having to throw away things that could be scarce later in the game. I think the fields should be the last you should upgrade, purely because your people don't ask for food until much later in the game AFTER you're well established.