Help Army Veteran’s Ranch with fencing

We are an Army Veteran Family Owned and Operated Ranch and Small Business; Fiber Ops Ranch, LLC. In 2020, the Farmer Veteran Coalition awarded us with a Fellowship Fund that would assist with the cost for farm fencing material to properly secure and rotate multi-species livestock for rotational grazing. Being a farmer veteran has been a very therapeutic transition as a disabled veteran. Our livestock also allows us to provide an educational experience with the community. We raise alpaca and angora goats for their fiber. We are proud to say everything we make is 100% handmade from harvest to product.

In March-May 2021, we hired fence installers and welders that represented themselves as a business to install a perimeter and cross fence welded wire farm fencing. We paid $8,000.00 upfront; over this course of time inadequate work was performed; post set in locations not agreed upon, unstable, crooked corners requiring us to hire another contractor to remove existing work and start over. At the end of May, the original company demanded the remaining $2,700.00 to pay the original bid in full for their unfinished work. At this point in time, no t posts were driven or woven wire stretched and the gates installed do not properly swing open to functionally operate. One of the individuals operating under the business served us with small claims summons requesting more money. After research on our end we obtained information that this company we hired was not registered with the Secretary of State as a business. Both the BBB and Attorney General’s office attempted to resolve the matter with the company. We countered the claim, represented ourselves in court, and presented our case. The judge found our judgment in favor of the maximum request for small claims which in Missouri is $5,000.00. Unfortunately, the court was only able to successfully garnish $27.13 at this time. We attempted to serve the company and other individuals operating this business with small claims summons to retrieve the rest of our losses with a failed service.

Due to this set back we are asking the community for assistance to meet our goal so we can finally complete our fence. Our alpaca and goat herd have been in a confined area for longer than expected due to this delay. They are relying heavily on hay and have not been able to get the needed grazing and exercise they deserve. In addition we have suffered losses and medical challenges in our herd resulting in additional expenses. We have since temporarily been closed for safety precautions for our herd and the community. Any support is greatly appreciated and Thank You from our whole heart and herd! 

Kindly,

Fiber Ops Ranch

Update: we were able to garnish $5,000 more. Due to the negligence from the previous company it impacted our final bill. We were able to use our savings to complete the fence. Unfortunately we are not the only victims that have been affected by the business we hired. We will continue to advocate for ourselves and make the community aware of consumer fraud in our area by this company. Any contributions no matter the amount will help !