Help Big Oak Farm Raise the Barn

UPDATE -Oct.6: We’ve had some messages inquiring about a work day to help Randy and Enid. They have been plugging away at getting the mess cleaned up, but there is still a lot to do. They don’t have power yet, which means no electric fences for the animals, so it’s still a fairly precarious situation. Once they have power back and the situation is stabilized a bit they are hoping a clean-up party can happen. Thanks so much to those who expressed interest, please stay tuned!

On the night of Friday, Sept. 23rd and well into the next day Hurricane Fiona ripped through the Atlantic provinces, knocking out power and leaving destruction in her wake. Big Oak Farm in River John, NS was one of the unfortunate victims of Fiona’s rampage. For owners Randy Gray and Enid Schaller the loss was one that every livestock farmer dreads; a barn containing their flock of Katahdin sheep, Dexter cattle, and a winter’s worth of hay was flattened.

Fortunately for Randy and Enid the animals managed to escape the collapse with no injuries. Now they find themselves headed towards winter without their barn and the hay that was destined to see them through those colder months. Time is of the essence to get shelter and feed in place before the snow flies.

Please help to raise Randy and Enid’s barn by supporting them through this fundraiser in any way you can. As we all know the cost of building supplies is through the roof, and as a fellow farmer I can only imagine the anxiety a sudden expense like this would cause. Donations of any size are helpful and if you can’t donate, we’d appreciate if you can get the word out by sharing this fundraiser through social media.

Let’s make sure the critters at Big Oak Farm have a place to call home for the winter and some hay to fill their bellies. Thank you so much for anything you can do.