Learn how the dairy farming community stepped up to save cows after a fire at Comp Dairy Farm. How did they transport hundreds of cattle?
The terrible fire at Comp Dairy Farm on Sunday night shocked the community, but it was not defeated. As the fires raged across the farm, the immediate effect was staggering—hundreds of cows in danger, a crucial milking parlor destroyed, and a family-owned company facing enormous hardships.
The urgency could not have been higher. With 1,100 head of cattle to consider, farmers and volunteers from surrounding states sprang into action. Within hours, offers of assistance came in from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan, demonstrating the genuine strength of the community when confronted with tragedy.
“We got the cows out as best we could, and in five minutes, it was pretty much going,” Jerry Comp recalled, remembering the quick and catastrophic situation.
The swift answer was nothing short of remarkable. Volunteers stepped up to drive the cattle, and large trucks arrived to bring them to safety. Dairy farms opened their doors to ensure that cows were milked and cared for, demonstrating the agricultural community’s tenacity and togetherness.
A Legacy of Resilience and Community: The Comp Dairy Farm Story
Comp Dairy Farm is a dairy industry staple, thanks to three generations of unwavering commitment and hard labor. Jerry Comp’s grandpa founded this family-run firm, which now includes 1,100 dairy animals. The farm serves as a cooperative for the Dean’s brand, highlighting its importance in the area dairy supply chain. Every day, Comp Dairy Farm produces around 10,000 pounds of milk, which contributes significantly to the local economy and the availability of high-quality dairy products. The farm’s role in the local economy and dairy supply chain makes the impact of the fire even more significant.
When Disaster Strikes: The Comp Dairy Farm Fire
The fire broke out late Sunday evening, which Jerry Comp characterized as an unexpected and quick incident. “I saw the fire.” I’m never really here; I’m always out on the field. “I went to put air in the tire, never smelled it, and when I returned, flames were coming out of the one room where we pump water,” Comp recalled, recalling the moment he knew something was severely wrong. The fire quickly spread, engulfing the milking parlor within minutes.
Within minutes, the fire had enveloped the milking parlor. “I just decided to call the fire department, and we got the cows out as best we could, and in five minutes, it was pretty much going,” Comp said, emphasizing the situation’s haste and turmoil.
The fire destroyed the farm’s milking parlor, where the 1,100 cows’ milk was processed. Witnesses, including neighbor Jerry Krulic, ran to aid. “I took some into Pennsylvania, down to Youngstown, down to the Wooster area,” Krulic added, underscoring the community’s strong support.
The majority of the livestock were rescued, but some were not. “They need to be milked three times every day. If not, they would not live,” Comp said, underlining the vital care needs of dairy cows and the logistical difficulty caused by the fire on the farm.
Mandy Orahood of the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau described the outpouring of regional support, saying, “We’ve got volunteers showing up to drive, we’ve got big trucks coming, and we have farms, dairy farms, that have offered to take these cows.” Her statements highlight the collaborative effort to ensure that the surviving cows got the care they needed despite the tragic loss of several.
A Community United: When Farmers Join Hands
The outpouring of support for Comp Dairy Farm has been awe-inspiring. Farmers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan have rushed to provide a hand, demonstrating the unity and togetherness that runs deep throughout the dairy farming community. This unity makes the community strong and resilient in the face of challenges.
Jerry Krulic, a local farmer, described his efforts, saying, “I took some into Pennsylvania, down to Youngstown, down to the Wooster area.”
Calls offering assistance flooded in from states away. “We have volunteers showing up to drive, large trucks arriving, and farms and dairy farms offering to take these cows,” said Mandy Orahood of the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau.
The logistical efforts demonstrate the community’s unwavering commitment. Tony Romano, a motorist from Canton, Pennsylvania, explained his motivation: “We all come together to aid whomever we can. We will pack cows, convey them from here to another facility, and keep them secure.” This commitment is a testament to the community’s dedication to its members and their well-being.
Matt Kinnison, a family friend assisting with the transportation operations, said it ideally: “This right here is what happens when a community of farmers joins hands.”
Orahood’s emotive comment echoes the sentiment: “People are turning up; they’ve been phoning and messaging since the fire erupted. We have farms; they are heading to Pennsylvania and Holmes County.”
In times of difficulty, the dairy farming community has shown remarkable resilience and a deep sense of solidarity, ensuring that Comp Dairy Farm receives the assistance it needs to recover and rebuild. This resilience is not just a response to a crisis but a testament to the strength of the community and its ability to overcome adversity.
Logistics of the Rescue: A Herculean Task
When a fire at Comp Dairy Farm forced the urgent evacuation of hundreds of cows, the dairy farming community’s reaction was incredible. But how were these cows carried so efficiently?
Coordination was the foundation of this endeavor. Local farmers collaborated with groups such as the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau to ensure every detail was addressed. “We have volunteers showing up to drive, large trucks arriving, and farms and dairy farms offering to take these cows,” said Mandy Orahood of the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau. This collaborative effort made the massive endeavor doable.
Transportation logistics started with the organization of vehicles and drivers. Residents, such as Jerry Krulic, stepped up right away. “I took some into Pennsylvania, down to Youngstown, down to the Wooster area,” Krulic added, emphasizing the collaborative effort. Volunteers like Tony Romano, who drove a huge cargo truck from Canton, Pennsylvania, were also essential. “We all get together and try to help anyone we can,” Romano said.
Each cow needed to be carefully loaded and moved to surrounding farms that could provide the required care. This needed precise preparation and ongoing communication. “This right here is what happens when a community of farmers comes together,” said Matt Kinnison, who helped arrange the logistics on site.
The sophisticated procedure included coordinating milking times, guaranteeing the cows’ health and safety during transportation, and arranging temporary housing. Farmers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan immediately opened their doors.
Ultimately, this Herculean undertaking was accomplished due to superb collaboration and continuous support from the dairy farming community. It demonstrates what can be accomplished when people work together for a shared goal.
The Emotional Toll: Heartache and Hope Amid the Flames
The emotional impact of the fire at Comp Dairy Farm cannot be emphasized. Jerry Comp, whose grandpa founded the farm, characterized the atmosphere as a combination of astonishment and resolve. “I am going to cry.” People are turning up; they’ve been phoning and messaging since the fire began,” said Mandy Orahood of the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau. The anguish of seeing their livelihood jeopardized was evident, but the outpouring of support helped to lift the load.
Matt Kinnison, a personal friend of the Comp family, reinforced the sentiment: “This right here is what happens when a community of farmers comes together.” Volunteers from surrounding states flocked in to provide aid, demonstrating the spirit of unity. Jerry Krulic, a neighbor who assisted with livestock transportation, put it up perfectly: “We all get together to try to help out anybody we can.” The community’s united effort minimized the immediate harm while providing emotional comfort, strengthening the dairy farming community’s tenacious character.
Rising from the Ashes: Comp Dairy Farm’s Path to Recovery
The present state of the Comp Dairy Farm is a mix of obstacles and positive prospects. Most surviving cows are kept on adjacent dairy farms, where they are well cared for and milked. This quick move has been critical for their health and continuing milk production.
The state fire marshal’s office is leading the inquiry into the cause of the incident, which is still underway. Initial results indicate that the fire may have started outside the milking parlor, but further information is still needed. The community anxiously awaits the formal report, believing it would bring clarity and possibly avert similar disasters.
Despite recent challenges, the Comp family is already preparing to rebuild. “We are going to try to get it going, hopefully put a roof back over it,” Jerry Comp. told me. The community’s constant support reflects this dedication. Local farmers, volunteers, and organizations like the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau continue providing resources, labor, and spiritual support.
The rebuilding process will undoubtedly be lengthy and complex. However, the community’s united attitude indicates a better future for the Comp Dairy Farm. This collective resiliency exemplifies the strength and camaraderie that distinguish the dairy farming community.
The Bottom Line
The Comp Dairy Farm fire exemplified the dairy farming community’s tremendous togetherness and quick response. Local neighbors like Jerry Krulic and volunteers from surrounding states responded quickly to protect the safety and well-being of hundreds of livestock. This outpouring of solidarity highlights dairy farmers’ strong sense of duty and family, demonstrating their endurance and unshakable devotion to one another.
Witnessing such solidarity and generosity in action should inspire us all to consider the power of communal support, particularly during times of adversity. In an industry rife with unavoidable problems, this communal spirit transforms hardship into survival and recovery. So, the next time you encounter a challenge, remember that you are never alone when a community is ready to support you.
Key Takeaways:
- Comp Dairy Farm experienced a significant fire, which threatened its operations and livestock.
- The fire damaged the milking parlor, where cows were being milked, but most cattle were rescued.
- The farm community across Ohio and neighboring states rallied to transport and care for the displaced cows.
- Volunteers, including local farmers and truck drivers, were crucial in coordinating rescue efforts.
- Ashtabula County Farm Bureau and other dairy farms offered immediate support, showcasing the industry’s solidarity.
- The cause of the fire is under investigation, but recovery plans are already in motion to rebuild the damaged facilities.
- The incident highlights the dairy farming community’s strength, resilience, and unity.
Summary:
The local farming community sprang into action when a devastating fire broke out at the Comp Dairy Farm. Despite the tragic loss of some cattle, farmers from Ohio and Pennsylvania united to ensure the remaining cows were promptly transported to other dairy farms for milking and care. This massive communal effort highlights the unwavering support and resilience within the dairy farming community. As Jerry Comp reflects on the ordeal, he expresses heartfelt gratitude to everyone who offered assistance. From nearby neighbors to out-of-state volunteers, the response has been overwhelming, demonstrating the incredible solidarity that defines this close-knit industry. Witnesses, including neighbor Jerry Krulic, ran to aid, taking some into Pennsylvania, Youngstown, and the Wooster area. The state fire marshal’s office is leading an inquiry into the cause of the incident, while the Comp family is preparing to rebuild, with local farmers, volunteers, and organizations like the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau providing resources, labor, and spiritual support.
Learn more:
- Heroic Rescue: No Human Casualties, Cows Saved from Destructive Barn Fire at Coopersville Dairy Farm
- Navigating the Waves: Dairy Producers Defy Challenges to Keep Barns Full Amid Soaring Milk Prices and Adverse Conditions
- The Death of Small US Dairy Farms: An Autopsy Report
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