Balfour Farm Fire Relief

Balfour Farm’s Farmhouse Cafe was destroyed in a fire on Monday. While the structure was insured, so much more was lost in those flames. What was lost was carefully planned and hard earned income for the winter, the ability to get to green grass and potential production of the following year. Tools while small in size don’t come cheap, and change a job from two hours and three people to 30 mins and one person. The loss of a tractor can also be devastating for a farm . The loss of the kitchen eliminates their ability to create delightful treats and the ability of the farm to earn income. As a community we also lose a favorite gathering place. In farming, community is of the utmost importance, followed by hard work and perseverance. Heather and Doug have joined our community just shy of ten years ago. In this time they have shown their resolve to create and be part of both the farming community as well as the local community. Heather is not only part of the Pittsfield town council, but has served on the Maine Federation of Farmers Market board, the Maine cheese guild board, the Portland Farmers’ Market board as well as countless other boards and committees. Doug serves his community differently, knowing everyone’s face and name, lending a hand re-skinning hoop houses, helping in fixing broken machinery, promoting Pittsfield, and generally always having a kind and helpful word for old and young alike. This is a family that understand community and how to be part of it. Now it is time for us, their community to return the support and show how much we appreciate Heather and Doug’s involvement in these wonderful local, Farm, and Farmers’ market communities. Please help and donate to get Heather, Doug,and Balfour Farm back on their feet!