And it all comes tumbling down...

In Connecticut alone, 136 barns and farm buildings have come crashing down this winter due to unmanageable snow loads. That’s a big number. Potentially a record, it is due to this season’s frequent snows and lack of thaws. This number is striking because it only represents one state and because each collapse represents one farm, one small business or one family that is now dealing with the tragedy and headache associated with a downed facility. First the realization, second the rescue of trapped staff or livestock, third the upheaval of another economic wrench thrown into an already challenging agricultural livelihood.

On February 7, amidst the collective winter snowfall, Jon’s barn collapsed: again. Upon reading this news, the enormity of this happening all over the northeast hit me. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to watch your own barn, newly built, fall to the ground. Especially knowing that your dear crew member and entire dairy herd are under its roof. It must be heart breaking.

My heart hurt when I read of the collapse on the Taylor Farm website. In Jon’s case, his barn collapsed before, exactly two years ago, under the heavy weight of snow. Devastated the first time, he rebuilt the barn and continued to tend to his dairy herd and his farmstead cheese, while raising three daughters and serving as an active member of his community. The rebuilt structure, bearing a proud "BARN AGAIN" sign after it's revival, was a beautiful, simple, free stall barn. Almost as tall as the silos below, and 50 yards long, the barn housed the entire herd of 50+ Jersey and Holstein cows and a handful of pigs. It was larger than the previous barn, part of a planned herd expansion, a big investment. Flanked by farm equipment, trucks, the half-functioning manure spreader and tractors, the barn flanked the small farm road leading out to the pasture. It was hard to see it all tumbled to the ground. 

Knowing Jon, as a visitor to his farm and as a partner for an academic project, I can attest to his gregarious, welcoming and persistent nature. And although no one deserves tragedy, it’s hard to see it befall someone who has been working so hard and is so good-natured. But isn’t that the description of all the small farmers to work so diligently to grow and raise the food we depend on each day?

So here’s a little shout out, an extra dose of gratitude for those farmers that have lost barns, greenhouses and sheds. Good luck as you go about tending to livestock, re-ordering lost feed and supplies and getting back to ‘normal’.

Taylor Farm Website