update* as of 9-10-25, almost $5,000 has been raised! You all are amazing and I am so proud of how well the community has come together to help a local farmer in need! If you wish to send a check rather than pay the fees here, that is ok. Please reach out to myself (Courtney Lewis) on Facebook or Elizabeth Soisson directly on instructions on how to do so. I am trying to keep her personal details private, but checks have been the preferred method so far.

Hey all! Courtney Lewis here...I am creating this fundraiser for my Uncle (Anthony Brillard) and his partner Bis (Elizabeth Soisson) to try to help them re-coup some funds and keep their small farming business afloat.

On August 4th, 2025 at 11:00pm, Bis received a call from the land owner, that the bailer which was parked in a field they were haying, was fully engulfed. There is no doubt that this was Arson but without camera footage, it could not be proven. Anthony and Bis have tried since August to get the insurance company to cover the cost, however they would only cover $1500. The baler was worth $19,000, so that is what I have set the goal for, but really anything is a help so they can find something before this next haying season.

Photos were taken to Beauregard's for an estimate to fix...they stated that it would not be cost effective to repair it and that the cost would be $12-$15000 if they were to do so.

Without a baler, Bis cannot feed her cattle next season and may be forced to give up farming entirely. She is the owner of Apple Bottom Beef in Jackson, providing quality meats from well fed and well loved cattle. Something like this is what puts us small farmers under. I fully support all efforts to keep Maine Farming and hope that the community will step forward in a time of need to help one of their own!

Again, the goal of $19,000 is just a figure I punched in because I had to put something and that was the value of the baler. Anything is greatly appreciated!