Time flies by and five years can feel like an eternity ago. Often, days and nights become intertwined, and somehow the seasons and years flew by without us having much time to hit the pause button. I’m sure many of you can relate.
The Night Everything Changed
On July 9, 2019, our life divided into what we now view as our before and after. An unexpected disaster struck, reshaping our lives and testing our resilience. We woke to an urgent call in the middle of the night. Our heifer and commodity barn was on fire. The minutes that followed nearly dropped me to my knees. The sight of the blaze, the smell of the smoke—it was all too much to quickly take in.
Through the grace of God and the benevolence of people offering a helping hand, we managed to persevere. The challenges we faced were numerous and often overwhelming, but the support we received from those around us made a significant difference. It served as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there are beacons of light—individuals who extend their hand in kindness and solidarity. We will never forget our local community who stepped up to help their fellow neighbor.
Generations Learning to Overcome Adversity
Seeing my children illustrate determination and step up in a role of leadership is one signal of light that will forever stay in my heart. The uncertainty that was so visible in the older generations’ faces didn’t deter them; instead, it fueled their tenacity. They became more devoted to the cause, willing to go the extra mile to support our livelihood.
Rebuilding two barns is no small task. The commodity barn went up fairly easy. The insurance money basically went to cover that barn. The heifer barn wasn’t as easy to put together. First off, it was not a priority for us before the fire. We had other “wants” that needed to get done first. But, when you lose a home for 200-plus heifers and pay a monthly bill to have them custom fed elsewhere, priorities shift. At least, for us they did.
Many meetings around my kitchen table unfolded. Conversations about securing finances and talking about long-term goals happened. Then when COVID-19 hit, everything took a big pause. With everything on shutdown, including our state capital building, which was the gatekeeper of our building permit, we were forced to be patient.
Changing Landscape
Heifers came back home and moved into the new heifer barn in October of 2020, and this past spring, we finalized another barn “need” – a maternity and dry cow barn. I recently drove around the farm with my husband and thought how much our farm’s landscape has changed in just five years. But, more than just the layout looking different, what has changed is a deeper commitment from our farm and family. Three generations working outside, caring for our beloved Jerseys which underscores that despite adversity, farmers like my husband, Scott, are steadfast with their commitment and desire to lead a role in providing a nutritious product for many to benefit from.
Yes, farmers cannot escape challenges, but they certainly can overcome adversity. I’ve seen this time and time again, and every day as I step out of my house, overlooking the farm, I’m reminded of the strength of the American farm family.
