MAJESTY FARM

On Wednesday, December 19 our barn caught fire and was pretty much ruined. We are overwhelmed, and in a state of shock still. We just had 4 new baby goats, and although the moms were able to get out, lost 3 kids. About a dozen laying hens were lost, and a couple are singed. and not looking well. We had the fire marshall and fire investigator out Thursday, and they were very thorough and helpful in determining where the blaze originated. There was a double gang receptaple that for some reason failed. We lost not only all our milking equipment, but the barn that housed the goats, the chickens nesting area, and our square bale storage, but the whole barn kitchen, with washer/dryer, 2 dishwashers, 5 refrigrators and contents, 5 full freezers, all my canning equipment and a lot of kitchen equipment, and myriad supplies. In addition, the unfinished top of the barn had oak flooring and cabinets we had purchased for finishing it, as well as my quilting frames and all my materials and supplies, over 1000 books, our Encyclopedia Brittanica, all school books not currently being used, outgrown and out of season clothes, and many heirloom items from my late grandmother, who had left them for my children as they started their own homes. Irreplacable antique farm tools and implements were another loss. Each day we keep remembering what was there. Something as simple as realizing our chore boots and chore gloves being burned up makes each day a challenge. Friends and supporters, though, are being incredible. I am typically not a crier---But the generosity and sympahy extended has brought me to tears more than once. We are working hard at getting a temporary shelter under roof so we don't have to milk in the rain. Lois Smith showed up at 7 a.m. the next day w/ a milker on loan to help out. It is so amazing how people are asking to help. What is hard is knowing what help I need, as there are so many directions I need to go in. I ask everyone's patience with my not responding quickly. I have been spending a lot of time on trying to get the insurance folks to come through. So far Farm Bureau Insurance is denying coverage responsibility, and it is not pretty. My agent tells me that he is going to do everything her can to help, and we will keep you posted. If anyone has extra items that they think could help fill in gaps, they can call me or email me, but I am behind in email as there is so much do do, AND Christmas coming up..... I wish everyone a Merry Christmas with their families. If anyone does want to make a tax deductable contribution to the "getting a place out of the rain" plan, they can contact (Pastor, Norman Johnson): Trinity United Methodist Church P.O. 37 North Garden, VA 22959

Richard Bean and Jean Rinaldi of Double H Farm in Nelson County have recently been the victim of over-reacting VDACS officials and have been arrested, booked, released, and will be going to court for infractions of regualtions that should not even exist. To help alleviate costs of this fight, you can send one-time or recurring donations to the "Double H support fund" Thank you all for supporting local farmers. Set-up monthly donation: $ for months. Please enter your name One Time Donation

All of our Naturally pastured locally raised animals offer superior nutritional food products to the consumer,as well as promote good animal health practices,place less stress on the eco-system, and reduce costs of transportation and marketing. By purchasing directly from the farmer or local vendor resources are better allocated,foodstuffs tend to be fresher,and the link between what we eat and where it comes from is reinforced. Check out important research supporting ecologically sound farming and food purchasing at http://www.eatwild.com Our meat products are raised here on the farm and are processed either on the farm or in a local USDA inspected facility. We do not routinely vaccinate, use no growth hormones, antibiotics, stimulants or chemically treated feeds. We practice pastured feeding and all young are either dam raised or raised on fresh from the farm raw milk. We use as much organic feed as is available locally, and our milkers are fed soy and wheat free diets. Meats are subject to availability, and are generally ordered for advance delivery in the spring and fall of the year. In addition to fresh goat and cow dairy products, we will be offering in limited quantities fresh young beef, chevon, pastured poultry and rabbit. On our diversified enterprise we also offer as available soaps and baths made from home-grown milks and fats, eggs from pastured chickens, and herbs, herb plants, and fresh produce.

Majesty Farm Kathryn Russell Milk Mama North Garden Virginia 22959 Phone: (434) 293-8312 Cell: (434) 760-5514 Info@MajestyFarm.com www.MajestyFarm.com