07/20/2026
YOUR CHANCE TO HELP: Many hands make light work, and we have some heavy lifting to do!
So many people have asked how to help us after the Lower Dry Creek Fire, and we are humbled and grateful. In response to these generous offers to help, we’re hosting work parties here on the homestead next weekend - Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. Come for an hour or come for the day!
Our homes and barn were thankfully spared, but the fire scorched the entire perimeter of our lawns, landscaping, and barnyard, took out our pumphouse, seriously damaged another outbuilding, and burned through stretches of fencing. There’s a lot to do, and we’d love to do some of it alongside you!
We’ve already put in a lot of the initial labor ourselves, and we’ll spend this week planning, prepping, and knocking out everything we can. Our goal is that when you arrive, what’s left is the work that truly needs a lot of hands, so the heavy lifting goes fast.
The work list:
• Chopping up and hauling away downed trees and shrubs
• Pulling out and rolling up barbed wire and removing fence posts
• Rebuilding/repairing short stretches of damaged fence around the barnyard
• Rebuilding our pumphouse and the small shed that protects our barnyard water valves (carpentry and construction skills are gold)
• Feeding and watering the crew, a true gift if sawing and hauling isn’t your thing
With enough hands, we might just knock it all out on Saturday! If we do, we’ll update everyone signed up for Sunday.
Especially welcome: chainsaws, trucks, dump trailers, fencing tools, loppers, and clippers.
Helping from afar: many of you who live far away have asked how you can pitch in. If you’d like to contribute toward the lunch fund, the restroom rentals we’ll need for the work party, or other supplies, send us a message and we’ll share details about how to contribute in that way. No pressure whatsoever; your kind words have already carried us!
Safety requirements (no exceptions): volunteers must be 15 or older. Everyone must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and gloves (leather if working with barbed wire). Eye and hearing protection are strongly recommended, especially near chainsaw work.
To sign up: fill out this quick form (https://forms.gle/v7xe6bqjYDwMDVDy6) so we can plan crews and tools.
Thank you for surrounding us this week! We can’t wait to put this place back together with you.
