Ag community pulls together to support ranchers impacted by wildfire
By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers UnionFebruary 26, 2021Agriculture News
Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers UniionBrady and Kristen Ham on their Shadehill ranch after the Windy Fire destroyed acres of pastureland
LEMMON, SD – A day after the Windy Fire consumed more than 2000 acres of owned and leased winter and spring pastureland, and 1500 round bales on the Ham Ranch, friends, neighbors and even some strangers began showing up ready to fence.
Zorc family on their Lemmon ranch after the January 14 Windy Fire destroyed acres of pastureland and fencelines. The family stands next to a new fence friends and local businesses helped put in following the fire.
By Lura Roti for South Dakota Farmers Union
A day after the Windy Fire consumed more than 2000 acres of owned and leased winter and spring pastureland, and 1500 round bales on the Ham Ranch, friends, neighbors and even some strangers began showing up ready to fence.
“They came for a week straight. A bunch of guys showed up without asking, to help fence. Some of my friends said, ‘we wouldn’t tell you we were coming because you would have told us to stay home.’ You know, they are right,’” shared Brady Ham, a fourth-generation Shadehill rancher. “We are all done fencing now.”