News Story - Idaho State Journal

RIVERSIDE -- A family member of Winfield Anderson, a Bingham County farmer who lost his agricultural equipment to a Wednesday afternoon fire, is asking for the public's help on his behalf.

The fire destroyed a potato cellar and the tractors, potato pilers, generators and other equipment stored inside. Damage was estimated at between $250,000 and $300,000, according to the Blackfoot Fire Department.

Though the potato cellar was insured, the farming equipment was not, said Danette Berry, Anderson's sister-in-law.

Berry said another family member loaned Anderson a small tractor, and a neighbor loaned him a grain chopper, but much more equipment is needed. Berry has set up a benefit account called the Winfield Anderson Relief Fund at Westmark Credit Union, which has locations at 333 W. Alameda Road in Pocatello and at 575 Jensen Grove Drive in Blackfoot. Berry also hopes to find people with used farm equipment to spare. The Andersons have a dairy farm and live in a home adjacent to the potato cellar, located on State Highway 39 near Riverside. Though the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Berry said it appears to have been caused by an electrical problem.

"They've had the dairy there for years. They're the first people to lend a hand to everybody else and have been throughout the years," Berry said. "It would just be wonderful if the area would rally and help them out."

Anyone wishing to help out with farm equipment can reach Berry at 785-3691.

This document was originally published online on Saturday, November 29, 2008

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