Darin Hubscher says opening his farm was an easy decision
A Manitoba farmer is supporting his community in need.
Darin Hubscher, owner of Sweet Acres, a strawberry and sweet corn farm in Swan River, Man., has opened a portion of his farm to families escaping the wildfires.
“As soon as the evacuations started, my daughter Taniesha suggested we take people in and it seemed like a no-brainer,” he told Farms.com.
Families with campers or who need a place to stay on the way to another location can stop in at Hubscher’s farm for free.
The farm has room for about 20 campers, and access to water and outdoor bathrooms.
More than 17,000 Manitobans are displaced because of the wildfires.
The communities of Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage and Pukatawagan are under mandatory evacuation orders.
The wildfire situation also hits a personal note for Hubscher.
Darin Hubscher
Two summers ago, his son Dyllon had to be evacuated from his condo in Kelowna, B.C.
“I know how he felt and how much stress the whole situation caused,” Hubscher said. “Community is everything around here, and we’ll be there to help.”
And years before that, Hubscher found himself receiving help at a time of need.
About 10 years ago Hubscher and other motorists were stuck on a highway during a snowstorm.
Together they worked their way to a farmyard about half a kilometre down the road to avoid spending the night on the highway.
“This little old lady brought us in and made us all food,” he said. “We slept on her floor and on her couches. You don’t forget something like that, and now its our turn to pay it forward.”
A post on the Sweet Acres Facebook page offering space has been shared more than 1,000 times, with multiple comments thanking Hubscher for his generosity.
Wildfire evacuees can contact Hubscher at 204-281-4440 for more information.