Brown Family Farm, a small poultry operation that was started during the mix of the 2020 pandemic to support the community during the most difficult of times. While grocery stores were limiting the amount of meat products that could be purchased due to shelves being nearly empty and now prices continuing to skyrocket. The farm pledged to help feed the community during these difficult times with low prices or even giving the food away so no one walked away hungry. 

In December 2021 Shel-Mar farms, led by Matt Terhune, the owner of the rental property that Brown Family Farm was located on, left two 48 ft. tankers that were actively leaking toxic chemicals right next to the chicken coops where over a 100+ egg laying hens and 500+ Cornish cross meat birds were kept. A video and sample of the mixture was collected and Matt Terhune was made aware as soon as the leak was identified. Matt claimed that he would come handle the leaking tankers, but he never did this. The owner of Brown Family Farm did everything he could to save the innocent poultry, but unfortunately due to the type of chemicals leaked many birds passed away or had severe injuries as the chemicals had leaked directly into their area.

When Matt was confronted by the owner of Brown Family Farm regarding the leaking chemical and the injuries and deaths of these birds, Matt responded stating, "it was his barn and he could do what he wants" even though the barns were leased to Brown Family Farm.

Our free ranging birds then became under attack. Our prized breeding Pekin duck, Katie, was ran down and hit by Matt Terhune's wife, Melissa. Katie suffered injury's to her head and neck that an emergency veterinarian and surgeon could not fix which led to her death. 

The owner of Brown Family Farm attempted to file a police report with the Wells County Sheriff Department and the Indiana State Police because in Indiana it is a felony (Ind. CODE 35-46-3-12(b)(2), 35-46-3-12.5) to intentionally kill or abuse an animal in order to threaten, intimidate, harass, coerce, or terrorize a family or household member. 

Matt was made aware that toxic tankers had been left and he choose to do nothing about it. Both police departments declined to hold an investigation and Matt has not been held accountable for his negligence. 

Due to Matt's actions, Brown Family Farm decommissioned the remaining birds that survived to a different property where they could live out their remaining life in peace. The birds that survived may never regrow their feathers and their eyes will always be disfigured.

Brown Family Farm operations had to be completely halted, which has led to them being unable to provide food resources to their community and those who are in need.

We are asking you to sign this petition to support Brown Family Farm and their fight to see that those responsible for the killing of these innocent birds and those affected for the remaining of their lives are held accountable.