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Ohio farmers head west to aid in wildfire recovery

Ohio farmers headed west Friday morning to aid in wild fire relief efforts. Organizer Rose Hartschuh, a central Ohio dairy farmer, says the effort began with a few farm families.

“When it started we thought it’d be great to get a couple other people to go out with us for the weekend. It’s definitely exceeded our expectations to say the least. Neat to see how one small idea can grow into something like this” says Hartschuh.

She says over 50 farm trucks and 70 Ohio farmers are sending more than one hundred thousand dollars in feed, fencing, supplies and donations to aid in the effort.

Farmer Norman Holmer from Attica in north central Ohio says as a beef producer, he wanted to do what he could to help.

“I’ve got a few cattle. I can’t imagine losing cattle in a fire. A barn fire is bad enough but what they have out there has got to be really bad…really. It’s a good cause…and it’s going to be interesting to see what we run into out there,” says Holmer.

People can follow the group’s efforts online and find ways to donate to the effort. Hartschuh says second group of farmer volunteers will be gathering again next week to make another trip west.

Click here for more information on the effort

Audio: Rose Hartschuh, dairy & grain farmer, organizer