My name is Ann Randeraad. My husband Dirk and I have been running a mixed livestock operation from our property, for decades now, with our 4 children.

Monday afternoon, our barn roof came crashing down! Literally. This winter’s massive amounts of snow had a devastating impact.

On Monday February 24th, in the early afternoon, following loud groaning and creaking noises, under the weight of yet more snow, the roof to our sheep barn came crashing down.

Dirk was just moving the skidsteer. He climbed into the cab, barely getting in, before the heavy dense snow filled the cab to his chest, Pieces of broken trusses and metal sheeting were scattered around him. He managed to use his hands to dig enough snow out of the cab to be able to climb out to assess the situation. Then using the skidsteer, he then moved enough debris to get out of what had been the south side of the barn.

Upon checking the sheep, he found they had scurried to cover under the hayloft, and were ok, minus a few minor injuries.

Miraculously, both humans and livestock came through this event thoroughly shaken, BUT SAFE.

The roof to our barn did not fare so well. Shredded metal roofing and dense, wet, heavy snow were now in the middle of the feeding pens.

With 50 ewes ready to begin lambing in the next 10 days, we are extremely fortunate that they fared so well. The ewes will be moved to the north side of the barn, while clean up of the debris happens and rebuild begins. As lambing begins, the north side of the barn will give them shelter. As these new lambs grow, the space which is currently not safe or useable, will need to be rebuilt to raise these lambs in.

We are seeking financial support for this rebuild as insurance will not cover it.

Funds will be used for clean up, building materials and the cost of rebuild.

There will be rented equipment required to haul down precariously hanging broken trusses and roofing metal. Massive amounts of snow need to be removed, simply to make room for clean up and to create working space for the rebuild. Once the clean up is done to secure safety in the area, a proper assessment can be completed, and the planning for rebuild can happen.

The soon to be mommas are doing well.

Thank you to friends who have come out with equipment, cleared snow, brought food and offered support.

Today, we are clearing the north side of the barn to make way for lambing pens.

FRIDAY: Day 4

The job ahead looks larger today.

The ewes are now moved indoors to the north side or the remaining side. New lambs have arrived. I will post pics soon.

Please consider supporting this fundraising effort.