Help Save My Daddy's Dairy Farm!

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Jennitasia

Help Save My Daddy's Dairy Farm!

Occupation:

farmer

Religion:

Christian - other

My Network
Number of Referrals: 0
My Mutual Connections: 0

My URL: http://www.microgiving.com/profile/dairy

Offline | Member Since: 01/02/10 | Login Count: 7 | Profile Views: 336 | Last Login: 01/07/10

Biography

Please, read my familyâ��s story.

I want to share my story, about my familyâ��s small dairy farm. This farm was first started in 1978 by my grandfather (Charles Bell) and my grandmother (Virble Bell). The farm was successful in every way. They even were awarded â��Dairy Farmers Of The Yearâ�� in 1986. They graduated from Grade C milk to Grade A milk. As the years passed the farm was then left to my father (Everett Bell) in 1999. During the last decade, the prices for feed have increased, the prices for commodities have increased, and the prices being paid for milk production have dramatically decreased! This led my father to believe that he needed to build a barn that milked sixteen cows rather than the older barn that only milked five to six cows at a time. He also thought that the mixing the feed himself would help save cost on buying the feed or grains pre-mixed. With the price of milk per hundred pounds a decade ago, his plans for developing a bigger business would have worked, but the economy has changed and also the price of milk for producers. As the prices dropped and the commodity prices increased, this led my family into major debt issues. My grandparents, father, and my step-mother pulled out everything they had in savings, bonds, 401K, and retirement to put into the farm. My father also suffers from a major disease called Croneâ��s disease, which led to even more debt issues. Besides all of this, my point is that dairy farmers today are not getting the price per hundred gallons that they deserve. And even if the price of milk for producers do increase, how will my family be saved from foreclosure. Their houses, vehiclesâ��, land, and everything they own is tied up into this huge amount of debt towards the farm. They do not have the income to hire labor help, which leaves only my seventy-one year old grandfather, my sixty-six year old grandmother, my father, and his son to run the entire farm. There is more to be done than just milk the cows. They must care for the calves, provide food and proper conditions for the cows, maintain the tractors and equipment needed to keep the dairy farm alive. Cows must be milked at least twice a day for seven days a week. I (daughter of Everett Bell and my mother-in-law) have been donating our time into helping with labor time on the farm for free. My heart lies into this farm, and the needs of my family. My father has suffered not only physically, but mentally with this issue. My step-mother is a full time student attending nursing school to become an RN to help better provide for the family and the farm. We have searched for charity, donations, and fought hard everyday to come up with a solution for saving the farm. The farm is now in itâ��s fifth generation, and is on the verge of being foreclosed. What if any thing can I or my family do to save this farm. We desperately need assistance of some kind. I am asking with all of my heart that if you know or know someone that can help us achieve the goals of being debt free, and making our dairy farm a success, then please help! Please be aware that we are not the only dairy farmers suffering, but many have already been foreclosed or is on the verge of loosing everything they own as well. Within the last two years the dairy farms have decreased by 80 % the total there were in Arkansas. Can you help us to be able to leave the farm to the fifth generation son (Sidney Bell). We have received $4,000 from the stimulus package from the government, but this is not enough to help our criteria needed to save our dairy farm. Is there any other source or way that we can achieve our goals for success?

Thank you for taking the time and the efforts in reading my story, and with hope and faith; may a miracle happen for my family and other dairy farmers around the world.

With Deep Regards,

Jennifer Danise Medley

My Purpose

To save my fathers dairy farm.

My Interests

outdoors, Christ, Cows, Family, Friends, Love

Getting To Know Me
My Family Mother :Jana Father: Everett Brother(s): 3 Sister(s): 3 Other important people in my life. Name :Chris Medley Relationship: Husband Name : Everett Bell Relationship: Father Recent changes in my life : I have recently been offering free labor on my fathers farm. I also donate food to them every week. I have four children and my husband is attending college. Favorite board game Scrabble What is most important thing in your life? My Family Pick five words that describe yourself : honest, passionate, determined, giving, caring Can you juggle ? Yes What is your favorite day? Sunday What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite meal? Spagetti What time do you wake up in the morning? 4:30 AM If you could have one super power, what would it be? To move things with my mind. Comedy or Horror? Comedy If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? On my daddy's farm. What is your greatest ambition? To save my fathers farm. Who is the person from you past you wish you could go back and talk to? My grandfather What characteristics do you think you've inherited from your parents? determination, honesty, motivation, drive, emotional What do you never leave home without? My keys Who would you most like to meet? Willie Nelson If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Give it to my father for his farm. What is the most embarrassing thing youve ever done? I cracked up when singing in church! Hobbies and Talents : I can sing, write, and read. List achievements and any future educational plans : I plan to become a full time dairy farmer on my fathers farm.

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Requests History

Recovery and Renewal of our Community

Disabled

January 2, 2010

Return to work

Recovery and Renewal of our Community

Description: My father is paying more for his equipment, feed prices, water, and hay to provide for his farm; than the milk producers pay them in a paycheck. If he could raise enough money to buy about 100 more cows, then this could save his farm.I know that there are others with worse circumstances, but in my heart this farm has been in our family for five generations. We are going to lose it all if something don't change.

My progress:

This is a long term need assistance request .

My message:

Supporting Documentation: Jennitasia has the following documentation

Progress:

$ (0%)

Still needed: $5


Request was active: 562 days

Request created: Jan 2nd, 2010 \| Request views: N/A \| Request modified 1 time(s) \| Last modified: Jan 2nd, 2010

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My Comments

Becky Raymond: Administrator

Jan 04, 2010 22:58:28

Hello and Welcome I wish you the best of luck!  If you have not
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Becky (Rayhawk) MicroGiving Community Leader

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