Dear community,

On March 28 our family’s home went up in flames while we were sleeping. We are blessed to have survived uninjured. Our community has rallied with an exceedingly generous outpouring of support, allowing us to transition with grace. This is an experience that sets the stage for the rest of our lives.

We live in the village farmhouse directly across from the Barnard firehouse. Over the years we’d often wake to the hustle and bustle of working women and men racing up to the firehouse, sounding the sirens and racing off to a call somewhere else. We have always appreciated the volunteer efforts of the firefighters, but it was not until we were face to face with our burning home and the valiant feats of these brave souls, that we realized the sacrifice and dedication necessary to respond to emergencies such as burning buildings. The spirit of volunteerism and community, a service-to-others mindset, is represented in the institution of a small-town fire squad. The fire tore through our house faster than most people can imagine, under the immensity of pressure and heat emanating from a fire gone wild, yet these volunteers were able to put out the fire before it damaged the frame of this historic farmhouse, and save our cat trapped inside.

This experience has served as a reminder of why we choose to live in a rural community such as Barnard. In reflecting what makes rural Vermont so special, an old-timer said it best: “People don’t bother you when everything is normal, but when disaster strikes, people come out of the woodwork to help.” The day after the fire, Helping Hands and the General Store led efforts to help us raise funds locally, while others established a GoFundMe page allowing us to raise funds near and far; friends provided us with a nurturing home to go back to after long days to decompress and rest; and volunteers aplenty came out to provide labor and cook us lunch as we frantically attempted to salvage what belongings we could from the rubble.

We have experienced first-hand the essence of community security, a form of insurance that helps those in need when they need help, without an intention of profit. When Irene struck Vermont back in 2011, we all got to witness this community spirit, service and security in action. No matter what political, social, cultural or other divisiveness that seems to keep folks apart, small-town, country people have each other’s backs when calamity strikes. Why? Because we are all connected, whether we like it or not, and when faced with dire circumstances one cannot help but feel compassion for a neighbor.

We have lived in this Barnard village farmhouse for nine years, birthing and operating Fable Farm from our home. From the beginning, we have set out to explore the potential integration of community and business. We’ve had many learning curves along the way, and we appreciate all those who have supported us through many trials, tribulations and celebrations. Developing a rural business is no easy task, but the support of this community has made it possible to attempt it. The inspiration to keep on comes easy when experiencing first-hand the support of our community during this difficult experience. Within our process of developing our agriculturally based enterprise, we are inspired by the power of community spirit, security and service.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all you kind souls who have helped us during these humbling and vulnerable days of displacement. Most notably, we extend a hearty thank you to the fire departments of Barnard, Bethel, Broad Brook and Royalton; to Helping Hands, Barnard’s local community service group, in receiving tax-deductible donations on our behalf, and for its commitment to helping those in need; the Barnard General Store; and the countless community members who have provided us shelter, warm meals, money and labor as we dealt with the aftermath of a fire that destroyed most of our belongings. We would also like to heartily thank SAVES animal hospital of Lebanon, which generously took care of our badly burned cat for a week; West Lebanon Feed and Supply, whose community-oriented owner Curt Jacques has been so generous and shown us first-hand the potential that local business has in promoting community mindedness; Ibex for donations of clothes; and our local chapter of the American Red Cross, which provided us with resources and incredible love and support. And to all those who have generously contributed donations to help us get back on our feet and continue our work in the world. The outpouring of support of all kinds that we’re receiving is incredibly inspiring and vital to our next step. Although emotions have been flowing up, down and all around since the fire, we are beginning to settle into feeling deeply humbled, grateful, inspired and connected to this community. As winter slowly lets go of her grasp upon the land, we welcome fresh currents of hope.

Jon Piana, Jesy Joy and Meridian Joy-Piper

Fable Farm

Barnard