Help local farmers rebuild after devastating fire

Help Local Farmers Rebuild from a Devastating Fire

Delaware County farmers Mark Dunau and Lisa Wujnovich, who for decades have

served as pioneering members of the sustainable agricultural movement, contributors to the literary life of upstate New York, and generous pillars of their local community, have suffered a destructive and life changing fire. Now these two strong people, who have never hesitated to generously open their farm and lives to all those who have needed them over the years, need help to rebuild their lives in their later years.

On Dec.15 there was a chimney fire, which spread across the whole living room roof, to

the peak of the barn. Fortunately, at 5 a.m. Mark was downstairs, noticed a fire,

grabbed a chainsaw, ripped open the ceiling, grabbed a garden hose, screwed it onto

the outlet of the hot water system and fought the flames for 30 minutes before the local fire departments arrived. Luckily, both Mark and Lisa are safe.

Most of the living quarters need to be gutted and many of their possessions that did not burn have smoke and water damage and need to be replaced.

Mark and Lisa first settled in the Dell on Roods Creek Road in 1986. They turned the

old barn there into a home, renovating with their own hands, starting Mountain Dell Farm, pioneering the direct sale of Organic vegetables to restaurants. Lisa is a poet,

herbalist and for more than a decade has been the director and teacher of the Hancock

Community Education Foundation Afterschool Garden. Mark is a playwright, an activist

in New York Farm Bureau and NOFA-NY where he fought for environmental protection

and the rights of the self-employed and is a former candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Mark and Lisa raised and homeschooled two children and have hosted and taught

dozens of interns to farm. The landscape of New York agriculture and beyond has been

profoundly impacted by their educational efforts. Mark’s essay, Covering the Seasons,

remains a classic template enabling people to make a living as small farmers in the 21 st

century. It continues to inform and inspire to this day.

Before and after images of the living room

Mark and Lisa are simply not able to rebuild on their own. They need the communities

that they have given so much to be strong for them now and we sincerely ask for any

support that you can provide. We also want to thank the Trout Creek, Hancock and

Masonville Fire Departments and all the volunteer firefighters and friends who have

helped them through this time.

The Mountain Dell Farm Website

This Gofundme was created by Iris, in collaboration with our friends and recipients of the Gofundme, Lisa, Mark, Bera and Shane. These funds will be deposited directly into Mark and Lisa's accounts and will be used to rebuild their home. Thank you for supporting!