Community Rallies After Dairy Barn Collapse in New York

On February 16th, Insight Dairy LLC in Little Falls, New York faced a devastating tragedy when the roof of one of their barns collapsed under the weight of heavy, wet snow. It was a heartbreaking moment for the farm and the surrounding community. Yet, in the face of loss, something remarkable happened. Neighbors, farmers, and friends came together immediately, without hesitation to show their unwavering support. 

When the roof first caved in, co-owner of Insight Dairy LLC, Jessica Hula-Fredericks, made a handful of phone calls and within just a few hours, over 50 people arrived, ready to help. They worked tirelessly for seven hours, in the freezing temperatures, high winds, and harsh conditions to rescue as many cows as possible. Despite the snow continuing to fall and the wind speeds picking up, the community pressed on. 

Over the past two weeks, skid steers, excavators, and other heavy equipment have rolled in. People have continued to bring food, water, coffee, and whatever else is needed to keep the efforts going. Thanks to the collective efforts of volunteers and local businesses, the rebuilding process is already well underway. For the owners of Insight Dairy, the outpouring of support and generosity has been overwhelming. 

Donations from friends, family, neighbors, and local businesses.

This is the spirit of New York’s dairy community. Farming may be their livelihood, but supporting one another is their foundation. When disaster strikes, neighbors don’t hesitate. They step up, they show up, and they remind us all of the power of a strong, united community. Even in times of disaster, there is hope because in the New York dairy community, no one stands alone.

Progress on farm rebuild.

As Insight Dairy LLC continues to rebuild, they do so with the knowledge that they have an entire community behind them. The support they’ve received is a testament to the strength and solidarity that define New York’s dairy farmers. Through every hardship, they lean on one another, proving that farming is a way of life built on trust, resilience, and a commitment to helping others. In moments like these, it becomes clear that the backbone of the dairy industry isn’t just the farms themselves, but the people behind them.