Auction Closes Sunday Nov 9 @ 7 pm

A devastating fire on October 1, 2025 destroyed the grain barn, tractor, grain cleaning and sorting equipment, and the entire stores of harvested grain at Next Step Produce in Newburg, Maryland.

Farmers Heinz, Gabrielle, and Raphaelle faced a cataclysmic reality:

What would happen to this farm that so many of us love and depend on?

Young Raphaelle (21) was gearing up to take on greater leadership in the farm.

The night of the fire, Raphaelle watched as her future went up in flames.

Her love and care of the farm, her depth of knowledge, and her photography have inspired countless young people to understand farming a little better. Her two sisters support Raphaelle in her vision for the future of NSP. And, while they are not involved currently in the day to day operations of the farm, it’s still a special place for them with ties to their pasts and futures.

The days after the fire produced questions about whether or not to rebuild.

Where could they possibly get the equipment needed to continue? Most urgently, the tractor?

“What will it take to get the tractor they need?”

This is the question we’ve been asking amongst ourselves.

The reality is that insurance money is minimal (whenever that comes through), and they will still have to make heart-wrenching decisions about what to replace.

Our vision here is to create a community-based effort to replace the tractor for NSP so they can go into winter—and Raphaelle can go into her future—confident that their grain operation will continue.

With a price tag of $60-100K, this feels like an immovable mountain to them at the moment.

Together - can we move that mountain for these amazing farmers that have nurtured our communities for decades?

Ready to be part of a miracle?

❤️ HONOR DINNER FOR TOP 10 DONORS

The top 10 highest winning bidders will each receive 2 seats at the table for a Special Farm to Table Dinner. Longview Farm's Penelope Breese is opening up her Accokeek, MD farm for a celebratory dinner with those of you who have made the biggest impact via this auction. You will dine with Heinz, Gabrielle and Raphaelle, enjoy a fine dinner sourced primarily from the surrounding farms, and made with love and gratitude for your contributions. Dinner to be held April 18, 2026 so that we can properly honor the rebirth of Next Step Produce - like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of the fire.

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