Sussex Co. Board of Agriculture
mail to:
Ricker Barn Raising
c/o Sussex County Board of Agriculture
129 Morris Turnpike
Newton, NJ 07860
Please reference
“Ricker Barn Raising” on your check.
Wantage Community
News
Ricker Barn Raising Fund
Tragedy struck Wantage last Wednesday afternoon. An extremely rare and
devastatingly strong tornado swept through the Township, uprooting trees
and damaging roofs. No one suffered more than the Ricker Farm on Beemer
Road.
For years, Doug and Joy Ricker have maintained a dairy herd on their Wantage
farm. Several years ago they put their property in the farmland preservation
program so that it will remain open space forever, allowing future generations
the promise that agriculture will always be present in Wantage.
The Rickers have devoted themselves to the betterment of our community.
Doug has been a township committeeman and mayor. He presently serves on
the local Open Space Committee. Both Doug and Joy have been active in
the Board of Agriculture, the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, and the
NJ Farm Bureau.
Doug was riding his tractor when the tornado struck. Fearing the twister
was headed toward the house, he elected to remain on the tractor. The
roof of the house was damaged and then the tornado headed for the barns,
all three of which were destroyed, as well as the silo. Pieces of the
barn were swept away, a half mile from the farm. A calf is still
unaccounted for. The farm sustained damage in excess of $500,000 and the
insurance only covers loss due to fire. It does not cover “wind” damage.
Save Rural Wantage feels that Doug and Joy are the kind of people who
have made our township a great place to live. They lost so much in just
a couple of minutes this week. This could have happened to any of us.
The Sussex County Board of Agriculture has set up a relief fund for the
Rickers.
We urge everyone who appreciates how much Joy and Doug have done for our
community to make a generous contribution. We wish them well and hope
that they will decide to rebuild and continue to farm in Wantage.
Please make checks payable to: Sussex Co. Board of Agriculture and mail
to:
Ricker Barn Raising
c/o Sussex County Board of Agriculture
129 Morris Turnpike
Newton, NJ 07860
Please reference “Ricker Barn Raising” on your check.
Thank you very much for helping your Wantage neighbors!
Save Rural Wantage
www.SaveRuralWantage.com