Barns, animals lost in Harvest Farm fire

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

A wind-driven fire on Nov. 27 robbed Harvest Farm of its harvest, but not its spirit.

Harvest Farm, located north of Wellington, is a rehabilitation center for men who have struggled with substance abuse and homelessness. Four buildings were lost in the blaze, along with 9 sows, 9 weaner pigs, 33 piglets and 5 to 10 rabbits. The farm's total winter supply of hay, bedding and grain is gone.

Currently the farm is home to 72 residents, and director Tom Matuschka said he was very grateful none of them was injured in the blaze.

High winds fanned the fire, which was spotted in a pile of corncobs and manure about 1 p.m. on Sunday. It quickly spread to outbuildings at the farm, destroying barns and the agricultural offices.

The Wellington Fire Department responded with 26 firefighters, four engines and three water tenders. Poudre Fire Authority assisted with a large water tender and a crew to cover the Wellington fire station. Wind gusts were clocked at 40 to 60 mph Sunday afternoon, according to fire chief Dean Delaney, so crews concentrated on keeping the fire from spreading rather than trying to put it out. It was mostly out by 3 a.m. Nov. 28, he said.

Cause of the fire had not been determined at press time.

There were positives among the ruins, Matuschka said, including neighbors who rushed in to help. On Sunday, the Whitman family brought over a livestock trailer to house sows and their piglets, and they also donated diesel fuel for the farm's tractor. The Kraft family brought bedding for displaced animals, and at 11 p.m., after hearing about the fire on the evening news, a neighbor woman brought a load of hay--a late-night supper for Harvest Farm cows.

On Monday, a steady stream of pickups arrived at the farm with more donations of hay, and the farm phone was ringing off the hook with other offers of help. One group of neighbors in the Buffalo Creek subdivision donated hay they had purchased earlier at Harvest Farm to decorate their lawns. "It was a thank-you to the farm" for helping so many people, said Arien Routh.

"I'm somewhat overwhelmed to have that much support and care," Matuschka said, adding that it means a lot to the men to have the community behind them.

Matuschka expected other positive lessons to come out of the fire as well. "We have challenges in life," he said, "and this is an opportunity for the men to see us respond to challenges in a positive way."

Harvest Farm residents were able to save 170 animals, herding them to another area. "The residents have been great; they're really wanting to help," said Paul Paton, ag supervisor for the farm.

Challenges ahead include housing and feeding the surviving animals and compensating for the loss of hogs, which help to feed the Harvest Farm residents as well as those at the Denver Rescue Mission. At press time, farm managers were looking for a temporary home for four farrowing sows, and they also put together a list of feed and other materials needed at the farm. Donations of money will help Harvest Farm erect new outbuildings.

Earlier in November, high winds blew down the corn maze, a fund-raiser. Farm managers had hoped to raise $35,000 with the maze in November.

Donations may be sent to the Denver Rescue Mission, 3501 E. 46th Ave., Denver CO 80216. Gifts should be designated for Harvest Farm.