TIFFIN, Ohio — The Riehm Produce farm has been a family operation since it began in 1911.
Phil Riehm, farm manager, and his father were doing chores Saturday night at the Seneca County farm, which is under its fourth generation of ownership, when an electrical fire broke out in the cattle barn.
The entire barn, including a handful of steer, was lost.
The Riehm family believes the fire was started due to a light switch in the barn.
"The fire departments were absolutely amazing. The work that they do is absolutely amazing. I think every fire department here in Seneca County was here on site," Riehm said.
Amanda Baiz, a farm employee of two years, said the family is a beloved member of the area community.
"They are wonderful. They really are some of the most generous people I've ever met. They really just care for their community, they care for everybody they come in contact with. They're just very giving," she said.
In her free time, Baiz volunteers to aid first responders. She said she got the call to go to the farm the night of the fire.
"At first (I felt) panic, concern, and then just switched into 'what can I do to help?' I knew there would be a lot of need here," she said.
Despite the loss, the Riehms have faith they and their farm will recover.
"We strongly feel that the Lord is with us. We know that we're resilient and we'll rebound in whatever direction the Lord wants us to go," Riehm said. "We can't do a whole lot right now, but, there have been lots of people praying for us and that's been evident because this situation could've been a whole lot worse."
Baiz said the response from the community has been overwhelming.
"People are reaching out concerned, immediately," she said. "They're asking how they can help, what they can do, what do we need? Yesterday we did open up even though it was the morning following the fire. We still opened our roadside stand. I've never seen it so busy."
Riehm shared a similar sentiment toward the farm's supporters.
"We sincerely appreciate all the support we're getting from our community right now."
Baiz said the best way to help the Riehms is to continue to support the business.
"Right now, just continuing to shop with us. If you need produce or any food at all, we offer a lot here. That's going to be a huge help to the family to be able to have that income come in," she said.