Replace our stolen tractor parts.

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Hi...My name is Mark Rathbone and our business is called Save Our Soil.  As shown in our video we are Biodynamic (organic) vegetable farmers from Kyabram Northern Victoria Australia. 

As you probably know our tractors are our most important implement and vital to our operation.

Recently we had people come onto our farm when we were away at market and steal parts off them which they could sell for cash. 

Unfortunately this will cost thousands of dollars to fix and we weren't insured because the premiums were worth more than some of the machinery themselves. The tractors were locked but I never considered parts being stolen. They also broke into my bore shed and stole my parents brushcutter which I had borrowed at the time.

This was immensely disappointing, to say the least, ( it's hard enough to make a living on the land without having someone come and take from you) but rather than play the victim here, I decided to create an opportunity out of it.

Instead of just fixing the old tractors, I have decided that with your help, we might be able to buy my neighbours tractor, as it is much better for weeding because of its high wheel clearance. This means we can weed taller crops more efficiently and we can feed more people, healthy food and continue to support my wife and 2 children. If you wish to check us out, you can do so at www.saveoursoil.com.au.

With your help:  

If we were to get $800 to $1000  I will replace my parents stolen Honda brushcutter.

If we were to get another $1000  to $1500 I will  fix our 1967 Massey Ferguson 135  (which had parts taken)

If we were to get an additional $500 to $2500
I will fix our 1973 Massey Ferguson. ( replace the fuel pump which was also damaged) we have allowed extra dollars here to bring the tractor up to scratch ( if funding obtained ).

The prices for repairs  allow for parts, labour  and transport of vehicles to the garage . We are not exactly sure of the costs because it depends on availability of old parts  and the cost of that .

We have a 3rd tractor which had a small fuel pipe removed which needs some repairs but we've decided we can do those ourselves.

If we were to get an additional $3300

I would buy my neighbours tractor (who is letting me borrow his until I get out of trouble), a 1971 David Brown 880 High Clearance

Currently two of my MF tractors are sitting idle because they won't go without the new parts, but I need to have them going by September so I can prepare for our new summer season or  I have to come up with $3300 for the other tractor or give it back.

The great thing about go fund me is if we only get a couple thousand dollars to replace stolen parts then we can continue. If we get more than needed we can do additional things like get the replacement tractor etc

7% of the funds are to pay for gofundme which will equate to around $500.

If I can raise the needed funds it will mean I can continue to feed my clients and without having to go into debt (with some bank) to do so. If you have the resources  I would greatly appreciate any support you can give us at this time.

Thankyou.

Mark Rathbone

PS Obviously if we were to get more than the goal sum listed above, there are many places of value where it can go. 

For example
I would like to upgrade the front fence  so it was more difficult  for people to gain entry . $2500.

We would love to build a shed to house all this equipment which would cost in the vicinity of $20,000.

I didn't want to focus on the negative too much but we did lose about $4,000 worth of sweet potatoes because we couldn't get them out of the ground quick enough after the tractors were disabled.

Later on we also noticed that we lost bolt cutters, an angle grinder and a small tool set which I haven't reported to the police because it doesn't seem like they're able to help, plus we don't have insurance anyway.

Lately we have increased security measures most things have padlocks and chains now which is unfortunate. In 50 years we've never been stolen from. I hold myself a little bit to blame for not having insurance and we will take measures now to get some in due course.