Main Street News

On Thursday, July 18, Kemmerer Farm, a 100-acre hay farm located in Stanfordville, NY, suffered a massive fire that devastated the farm, took out three barns, and destroyed all of their trucks and tractors, other farming equipment, and their office.

Kemmerer Farm has been in existence for over 100 years, and generations of Kemmerer’s have dedicated their lives to working the land and encouraging the agricultural heritage in Stanfordville and the surrounding communities. Additionally, the Kemmerers have owned Hunt Country Supply, located on the farm, for many years. Emily, John and Clara’s oldest, also founded the Centennial Farms Foundation, a charitable organization for century farmers facing hardship, in 2021. John Kemmerer and his family have been involved in the community for decades.

There have been multiple ongoing community fundraising efforts to support the farm, and so far, they have raised nearly $100,000 in less than a month. There are two GoFundMe fundraisers currently running, and people have been mailing in checks, making donations, and spreading the word. 

Dani Nicholson, a Pine Plains resident, family friend of the Kemmerers, and one of the fundraiser organizers, has raised over $10,000 through a collaborative effort at the Millbrook Horse Trials. Most recently, she also hosted an empanada fundraiser and pop up farmers market, which featured produce from local farms including Foxtrot Farm & Flowers in Stanfordville, Heeler Farms in Pine Plains, and Millerhurst Farm in Pine Plains. 

The empanada and produce pop-up fundraisers will be on-going and taking place at least once a month throughout the fall. The schedule will be determined by weather patterns, produce donations, and other factors. 

Due to the fundraisers’ success, the Kemmerers were able to get a new, used flatbed truck from LA Motors in Waterbury, CT on Tuesday, August 13. “They deeply understood the severity of the situation both with the fire and the impacts to the family business and immediately offered to help the cause,” Dani explained. “It was quite an achievement and that was made entirely possible by all of the incredible people that have stepped up to help over the last few weeks.” 

Upcoming fundraisers

In addition to this, the Stanfordville town officials are planning a brunch fundraiser scheduled at Bangall Works in Stanfordville on September 28. The organizers – including Steve Bruman, Julia Descoteaux, and Wendy Burton, all of whom are affiliated with the town in an official capacity – are hoping to raise enough money at the brunch fundraiser to get John a new tractor, and then from there, they will be able to focus on the biggest piece of the equation – rebuilding the barn. 

Dani has also partnered with Vanner House, an equestrian luxury brand who is also a vendor at the Millbrook Horse Trials, and they have offered to donate 10% of their sales on their website that use the promo code “KEMMERERGIVE10” to the Kemmerer family. 

The fundraising efforts have been a culmination of community efforts and people far and wide have stepped up to help. There are future fundraising opportunities and events in the works, and more details will be available soon. 

If you’re interested in getting involved with the fundraising efforts for Kemmerer Farm, email supportkemmererfarm@gmail.com.