Support for the Wratten Family Farm after Tragic Fire

On Sunday, February 16th at 2:10am, our family’s neighbor/family friend made a 911 call after seeing 70’ flames coming from the milkhouse of my family’s dairy barn. By the time the firefighters were on scene, the barn was fully engulfed, and my family had lost their life’s work, along with over 125 head of cattle which perished in the fire.

This barn was built in 1971 by my grandparents - Stanley and Shirley Wratten. My uncle, Gene Wratten, carried on my family’s legacy being the second generation to run the farm. My grandparents and uncle are hands down, the hardest working people I’ve ever known. They’ve been the first ones to give a job to someone in need, help out the local FFA chapter, or help a neighbor. They’d never ask for help themselves, but I think this situation warrants asking for help on their behalf. Aside from the mental burden of what to do next, my family needs to begin to clean up what is left from the fire. While my family faces their insurance company in an attempt to be able to rebuild a barn of some sort, they will need to rent equipment, dumpsters, and have labor on hand to clean up what remains of the dairy barn and their cattle herd.

If you wish to donate, my family is forever grateful for your help. If you cannot donate, please share. And please say a prayer for my family as they try to find peace in light of everything that has happened this week.

For those wishing to contribute via check:

Gene Wratten

7760 Water Street

Madison, NY 13402