Support Katherine Umbarger's Family Farm After Tragic Fire

On March 12th, 2025, Katherine Umbarger awoke to an unimaginable tragedy ~ her family farm engulfed in flames. While she, her husband Kyler, and their six children are thankfully safe, the loss is immense. Much of their homestead, built with hard work, love and dedication, to which they’ve graciously shared with all of us, has been sadly destroyed.

Their 40x100 barn, which served as home and housed essential supplies for their cherished 9 goats including the mama goats they had bred for many years, does, and their children's 4-H goats—along with 8 sheep, was completely destroyed. Heartbreakingly, all 17 animals perished in the fire.

This barn also housed Kyler’s work tools and heavy equipment, including a skid-steer, which was vital to operating his construction business—their primary means of livelihood. Additionally, years of irreplaceable antiques, materials intended for the completion of their newly built home, and countless other valuables were lost in the flames. Unfortunately, much of this barn and it’s contents will not be covered by insurance.

The fire also claimed their treasured camper, along with all their personal belongings that had yet to be moved into their new home. For the past five years, this camper had been more than just a shelter—it was where they prepared meals as a family, tucked their children into bed each night, welcomed two of their youngest children home, and worked tirelessly to build their dream. Katherine has graciously shared her homesteading journey on social media, inspiring us all to live healthier, more conscious and sustainable lives. Thousands of us have followed along, benefiting from her helpful tips, videos, and so much more. She has been an invaluable source of knowledge, and I ask anyone who can, to please show the same support for Katherine and her family during this difficult time.

Donations will go toward various urgent needs, with the first priority being replacing Kyler’s tools so he can return to work as well as providing supplies for the animals, such as feed, buckets, and square bales.

It is truly heartbreaking to see this family lose anything at all, after literally watching them work so hard, day in and day out, to literally build everything from the ground up.

My name is Melissa Jahnke-Kekahbah, I am a dear friend of the Umbarger family and **THIS IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL KATHERINE UMBARGER FAMILY ACCOUNT/CAMPAIGN*** I ask for your comfort to surround them, for your strength to uphold them, and for your wisdom to guide them as they navigate through this incredible loss.

Your graciousness will help their hands with renewed strength, their land with new growth, and their hearts with unwavering faith in restoring what has been lost and remind them that they are never alone.

Thank you for generosity in helping this truly wonderful family.