Juniata community rallies around farmer who lost equipment while trying to protect it from storm

JUNIATA, Neb. -- A third-generation farmer from central Nebraska saw his livelihood reduced to rubble after a devastating fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of farming equipment. Now, his community is stepping up to help their neighbor in need with a fundraising campaign to help him get back on his feet.

In an attempt to protect his farm equipment from incoming severe weather, Juniata farmer Mike Schutte packed more equipment than usual into his Morton building. The building, however, caught fire overnight. 

The building was a total loss as well as all the contents, including his vital farming equipment. Just some of the equipment lost included his combine, corn head, bean head, 2 tractors, planter, grain cart, two pick-ups, and all his tools. The money raised will help replace lost equipment.

"Due to the large insurance claim the insurance company sent an investigator to try and determine the cause of the fire. Their opinion was a battery cable on a tractor had caused a spark causing the gas tank on the same tractor to explode,"fundraiser organizer Judy Dady said. "My family and Mike’s family go back many years and have always found ways to help each other in times of need".

While Judy set the fundraiser goal at $100,000, she said the damage will likely surpass that amount.