Hoyt Hill Feed Fund
****Hoyt Hill Farmstead was featured on UVM's Across the Fence . You can see the recorded show here .****
Hoyt Hill Farmstead is a small organic family dairy farm in the heart of Vermont, owned by Amber and Scott Hoyt. The farm normally produces much of its own feed for the cows, on owned or rented land that meets the requirements for organic certification. They have been devastated by an incident that contaminated their feed. Unbeknownst to Amber and Scott, a telecom expansion project sent some subcontractors to do line work, and they negligently dropped pieces and large lengths of stainless steel lashing wire throughout various areas of the farm and rented fields.
The non-magnetic lashing wire could not be picked up by the magnets in the harvesting equipment which normally protects the feed against metal contamination. The wire was chopped into the feed as it was harvested. Ingesting metal can cause “hardware disease” in cows, which results in various symptoms, including discomfort, reduced milk production, loss of unborn calves, and death. The consequences are so dire that cows are often made to swallow magnets which capture the metal and keep it from moving around and causing issues. This protection is useless against the non-magnetic wire. Three of their beloved cows have died from complications of hardware disease so far.
Upon discovering their feed was contaminated, Amber and Scott reached out to the responsible parties. After what they understood was a verbal commitment to “make things right” they began the process of seeking certified organic feed to replace the 500+ tons of contaminated feed. Given drought conditions in the previous year, this was no easy task. A feed supplier from Canada that has supplied other area farms agreed to secure and deliver the feed needed.
As the insurance companies involved reviewed the claim, one entity involved began to pay for delivery loads of clean uncontaminated feed, which was greatly appreciated, and the right thing to do. However the entity involved stopped paying for feed after the 3rd delivery. Amber and Scott were put in a position to make a decision – do right by their cows and continue accepting loads of clean feed or begin using feed contaminated with chopped lashing wire. The 8 more loads needed to replace the contaminated feed were delivered, ensuring clean feed for the cows until spring.
The insurance claim was recently denied as the subcontractor’s insurance had lapsed. The sub-contractor involved has since gone out of business, further complicating the situation. Amber and Scott are faced with a lengthy legal process with an uncertain outcome. This ordeal has cost them in vet bills and other losses, and they have a feed bill of almost $44,000 looming over their heads. Anyone who knows the razor thin margins that most family farms run on will understand how overwhelming a bill of this size can be.
The GoFundMe funds will be used to pay off the feed bill, which is currently accruing interest. If we reach our goal, any remaining amount left after paying the feed bill will be used to cover veterinary bills.
Below is a note from Amber and Scott:
“Despite family, friends, and strangers’ suggestions to go this route, we have been hesitant. Quite frankly we are prideful people and don’t feel our situation is worthy given the struggles so many others go through that usually prompt a GoFundMe campaign. With our hope of responsibility, accountability, and commitment to 'make things right' dashed, we now wait for attorneys, and an impending lawsuit that could take several months or even years to play out with no guarantees. In the meantime, our commitment to doing the right things stays true. Despite our reservations about asking for donations, the right thing to do is find a way to pay the kind, patient Mosher’s of Canada the outstanding feed bill. Whether you decide to donate, pass along a kind word or thought, or simply share our story with someone else, we want to say thank you and it is truly appreciated.”
Here are some links to articles in the local news media which provide more details on the situation:
July 15 article from The Herald
July 16 interview on WDEV
August 18 article from VTDigger
September 9 interview on Across the Fence
