POLK, Ohio — During some of their darkest days, farmers in flood-ravaged Midwestern states are finding support. It's coming from across the country, including right here in Northeast Ohio.
For nearly 57 years, Falling Star Farm has been a staple in Ashland County.
"Family farm. It's not a multi-corporation and stuff like that, it's family. It's hard work, but we love it. You know, people always like why do you want to work that hard? It's not work to me when it's something you love," Neal Meyer said.
It's a passion that the Meyer family knows runs deep, regardless of the miles that separate them from their fellow farmers.
When they saw the fallout from catastrophic flooding in the heartland, Neal Meyer and his brother Russ Meyer made the trek to Verdigre, Nebraska.
"We got the equipment, we had extra supplies so let's load and go. We saw a small town that there was nothing left. And by nothing. I mean there was ice stacked high two weeks after the flood and it was just everywhere," Russ Meyer said.
The pair brought 24 tons of bulk feed and 300 large bales of hay for the livestock, along with soap, cleaning items and toiletries for people in the town who lost everything.
"We got out there and there was a lot of people in awe," Neal Meyer said.
The outpouring of support has been overwhelming for a part of the country that isn't used to much attention.
"It was such a small town the fire chief showed up and he had U.S. Postal Service on. He was the postmaster and the fire chief. That tells you how small a town it was. He was looking at us like he didn't even know what to do cause he'd never seen someone bring so much stuff," Neal Meyer said.
The Meyer brothers, with the help of other farmers from around Ashland County, also delivered fencing supplies.
It's the biggest need moving forward, as the cost to keep livestock contained runs about $10,000 for just a quarter mile of fence.
The trip to spread goodwill and help those in need left a lasting impact.
"I met a man out there that had a hook for one hand, and I shook that hook for hand and he thanked me for bringing hay out there. That was worth every mile we drove of all 1,100, it was worth it. You don't have to live next to somebody to be their neighbor," Russ Meyer said.
In the coming days, more convoys are expected to leave Northeast Ohio for Nebraska and surrounding states.
Starting tomorrow, Falling Star Farm will be a drop off site for donations.
If you want to drop off supplies you can show up at the farm located at 626 State Route 89 in Polk, Ohio any time between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
