Bradley Barn Fund

In the early morning of January, 29th Mike and Becky Bradley looked out of their windows to see this. Their barn, over 100 years old, burned to the ground before dawn with daylight giving them their first vision of a changed life.

They lost a ram, ewe and lamb. The loss of life to a farmer is the ultimate pain – you take on the welfare of that animal and understand that you are entrusted with their safety. This stings and the Bradleys are no different than anyone that has taken on the responsibility of raising animals. Two pregnant ewes survived.

All day they spent taking stock of the situation – basically in shock that so much they have worked for and with for the past 35 years was gone. The priority was the remaining sheep. Friends called with options for shelter for the remaining animals but in the end, they wanted to keep them home. Neighbors brought in hay and a tarp to cover it outdoors, they brought them a bucket for water for the sheep, and a metal can for their feed which was still in the trunk of their car from pick up the day before. They arrived to tighten up the small building knowing the weather was going to be much colder by the end of the week.

This is when they began to realize everything they had lost. Their barn was their only storage building. They lost their tractor and snowblower, tools and implements, everything that makes taking care of a farm and property possible. They lost all of their lawn furniture for the guests of Maple House B&B. They lost all of their hobbies from mosaics to skis to golf clubs to a canoe. They lost their ladders, chainsaw, and lawnmower. Most of their flower beds were lost as well.

None of this is going to happen overnight but decisions will have to be made, a new shelter will have to be built, and it will take time and money. This fund is a way to help the Bradleys put some pieces of their life back together. Help toward the rebuilding of their little farm, help towards purchasing equipment necessary to function, and help in recovering who they are. This fund is a start and crowdfunding is a wonderful way for

many many folks to give a little and have it snowball into a sum that can make a difference in their lives. Whether you donate or not please pass this on to your neighbors and friends to help build this into something that will truly make a difference for Mike and Becky.