BARN BURNED DOWN WITH ALL ANIMALS; PLEASE HELP

I would like to take this opportunity to raise money for a dear friend and her family members. They recently lost their barn of 20 years to a tragic fire, along with all 20 of their show animals. Years worth of love, hope, and hard work was all gone in the blink of an eye.

They are in great need of financial assistance right now to be able to build a new barn and attempt to continue on by rebuilding the life they lost.

Please read Brianna Stockwell's story below...

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My name is Brianna Stockwell, I am 17 years old. I have been involved with agriculture my whole life. My love for livestock has always been the biggest part of my life.


I was born with a physical disability called Femoral Facial Syndrome. I was told I would never be able to walk or talk, but agriculture gave me the spark to fight for the life I wanted.


I became involved in 4-H and FFA since I was young. As I grew up, I began to show livestock on the national circuit. I even dedicated my Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) to swine management in FFA. My teen years have been filled with leadership experiences, such as being on Michigan’s State Youth Leadership Council (sylc), Michigan State Fair’s Youth Council, and my county’s Teen Leaders Council. I’ve volunteered most of my time to Feeding America food drives, 4-H sanctioned events, and National Junior Swine Association’s Mentoring Values People Program. I’ve also participated in livestock judging contests, impromptu speaking engagements, and conducts of meetings team throughout middle and high school.


When my barn burnt down, my life fell apart. I lost the place I had spent every second of my spare time in. The barn housed all of my beloved animals that I had worked with for so long. In the barn was the companion goat I’d had since I was 13 and a show heifer that I had raised in my small 6 cow herd. My biggest loss were my pigs though, my show hogs for Denver’s National Western Stockshow and Rodeo (canceled), Louisville’s North American Livestock Expo, and Michigan State’s Green and White show were all lost. I lost my herd boar that I had raised and used for my SAE that can truly never be replaced, as he was the last boar out of his sire that had passed away. I also lost a month and a half old litter I was planning to sell for meat to help pay for college.


The awards and equipment that burnt will always mean something to me, but the animals I lost meant the world. I had such high expectations for them to do well and they were my family.


After I graduated from high school, I had planned to show as hard as I could before I left for college. I plan to go away for a degree in Agricultural Business and minor in Agricultural Production and Supply. I strive to one day get an Agriculture Law degree, so I can help families get through hardships the way I had needed help with insurance companies.


Now that plan is in shambles, as I try to figure out how I will house animals for summer jackpots and county fairs. Senior year is supposed to be the best year of my life, but it’s left me feeling like something is missing from my life. I’ve given so much to my love for the agriculture industry and only hope it can help me pick
up the pieces, so I can continue to do my best for others.