Firefighters hose down the wreckage left behind by the fire early Wednesday morning, January 12, at Pete’s Greens in Craftsbury. Photos by Bethany M. DunbarCRAFTSBURY — The main barn at Pete’s Greens was destroyed by an early morning fire on Wednesday, January 12.

The barn was used as storage for crops and equipment, including two tractors.  An addition to the barn was in progress.

Pete Johnson, the owner of the business, helped load a delivery truck that left at about 3 a.m. and things were fine then.  A little less than an hour and a half later he heard a noise, looked out and saw that the three-story barn was on fire.

“It’s a real tragedy.  He really has worked hard to build that business up,” said Craftsbury Fire Chief Walt Gutzmann.

The chief said the firefighters arrived shortly after they got the call, but it was already too late to save the structure.  Greensboro, Wolcott and Albany departments were called to help, and the main street in Craftsbury was closed while the firefighters got the blaze under control.

He said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it’s not suspicious.

Mr. Johnson watched the firefighters work that morning with friends who had started to rally around him.  He said he was glad that no one was hurt and no animals were hurt.  Earlier he could smell his potatoes burning.

Mr. Johnson sent out an e-mail to friends and customers reporting on the day’s events and what was lost.

“The barn housed our washhouse, vegetable coolers, vegetable washing and packing equipment, walk-in freezer, and tons of supplies,’ the e-mail said.  “Upstairs, lived two tractors, many implements, and lots more supplies.  It burned fast and was actually calming down by the time the fire department arrived.  It is a helpless feeling to stand and watch the heart of your business and a beautiful old barn go up in smoke.”

Mr. Johnson said in the e-mail that he did have insurance but so much had been added recently that it was only insured for about half of the This huge old converted dairy barn was storage space for vegetables for the winter, two tractors, washing equipment, and all kinds of tools.replacement value of the building and equipment.

“Unfortunately, the $250,000 worth of stored produce and frozen meat was not insured at all.

“The tears were flowing at the farm yesterday.  From employees who have spent years building and remodeling the barn to those for whom the washhouse was a second home, it was an emotional day for us all.  I found myself not tearful about the fact that the building burned but choking up by the overwhelming support that came our way...

“It will take months to get us back on track, but we are looking ahead to our spring planting and producing food again.  I am very uncomfortable asking for and receiving financial help but we do need it and I really appreciate your support,” Mr. Johnson wrote.

Support is coming from all directions.

On Tuesday, Mr. Johnson went to an emergency meeting of the Northeastern Vermont Development Association with legislators and others to figure out ways to help.

Melissa Jacobs, who works at Pete’s Greens, sent out a list of the fund-raisers being planned by neighbors, customers and friends.  Pete’s Greens “Good Eats” community supported agriculture group has more than 350 members.

As of Tuesday, fund-raisers are as follows:

On Wednesday, January 19, at 6 p.m. at the United Church, the Church on the Common, there will be a dinner and art sale.  Photos by John Miller and Natalie Stultz will be for sale along with a gift certificate to Stillmeadow Nursery.  This is being put on by Stardust Books and Café and the Art House Gallery.

On Saturday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a community contra dance and dessert benefit at Sterling College, Dunbar Hall.  Children are encouraged to help make desserts for the buffet.

Juniper’s Restaurant in Lyndonville will hold a fund-raising dinner on Thursday, January 20.

The Mad River Valley Localvore Project will be holding a Bid for the Barn silent auction online January 23 to 30 (bidforthebarn.org).

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center will host a Bill Koch League ski race at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, with a 2K skate race, lollipop race, treasure hunt for kids, ribbons and hot chocolate for all.

American Flatbread (all restaurants) will host a fund-raiser on Thursday, January 27, where a portion of all flatbread sales will go to the farm.

Applecheek Farm in Hyde Park is hosting a dinner at their farm on February 4.

City Market in Burlington is donating 1 percent of its sales to the farm between January 20 and 23.

Michael Rork, the owner of Zinfandel Photography, will be donating 100 percent of the profits from the sales of his “Postcards From Vermont” landscape prints to Pete’s Greens from now until the end of March. (www.zinfandelphotography.com).

Jordan Silverman Photography is donating the proceeds from the sale of Pete’s Greens photos.  Sign up to view photos at: http:pictage.com/989501.