JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Efforts are underway to help the Hahn family recoup their losses after a fire destroyed a barn at their farm last week.

Four hundred chickens and 300 round bales of hay were lost in the fire at Hilly Acres Farm, which began on Tuesday, July 9 around 10 p.m. and was still smoldering the next day. Firefighters are still working to determine the cause of the blaze, while, in the meantime, community members have pitched in to raise money for the farm.

Northern Farmhouse Pasta hosted a fundraiser at the Roscoe Beer Company Tuesday night. Owner Bob Eckert said that not only are Andy and Tanya Hahn business partners—Northern Farmhouse sources ingredients and meat from the farm—but friends.

“If you knew the Hahn family, I think anybody would drop what they’re doing and help out,” he said. “A lot of mornings are spent out at the Hahn farm picking things up and talking to [Andy] and really understanding how hard things are for Sullivan County farmers… so any little thing can affect them and their bottom line. So it was really just friendship. It wasn’t even a thought.”

Hilly Acres Farm is a small-scale farm specializing in beef, pork, poultry and lamb—all raised hormone free—that has been family operated since 1955. The GoFundMe account created to support the farm raised more than $9,000 in four days.

“We are safe; the firefighters who responded so quickly, and saved our cows and the two other barns, are true heroes,” the Hahns wrote on their website. “We never underestimate the importance of a true community, and we are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from fellow farmers, customers, and new and old friends; those categories definitely overlap! If nothing else, we have solidified our commitment to continue our family farming tradition and remain thankful for the opportunity.”

Eckert said this has become an example of how willing people are to help one another out.
“I think the community spirit in this area, and God willing everywhere, is phenomenal,” he said.