NC farmer who kept family dairy alive through COVID fights for life after bull attack
Hundreds of people rallied this week to keep an Alamance County dairy farm going after its owner was critically injured by a bull over the weekend.
Randy Lewis, owner of Ran-Lew Dairy in Snow Camp, made the news a few years ago when he was forced to adapt his business to the COVID shutdown, turning milk into ice cream instead of throwing it out like many farms around the country were forced to do.
On Sunday, Lewis, 62, was in the pasture on his farm when a black Angus bull attacked him, according to dairy staff and family. He suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, punctures in both lungs, and broken bones in his face and back from the attack.
The Angus is a Scottish breed that averages around 1,870 pounds for a bull and is known for its easygoing temperament, experts say.
UNC Hospitals officials said Tuesday afternoon that Lewis’ condition had been upgraded to “fair.”
He faces a long recovery, including reconstructive surgery to rebuild his ribs, according to Taylor Hayes, who operates the milk plant at Ran-Lew Dairy. Hayes and other dairy staff have set up a GoFundMe page to share information and raise money to support Lewis and his farm.
The campaign had raised over $109,000 of its $115,000 goal by Tuesday evening. Staff wrote in the update Tuesday morning that nearly 200 people had signed up to volunteer at the farm and a new staff member was being trained.
Friday fundraiser
The Maple View Farm Ice Cream Store in Orange County will also hold a fundraiser this week to benefit Lewis and his farm. The store has pledged to give 10% of all sales between noon and 9 p.m. Friday to the campaign, along with any additional donations left at the store’s counter.
Maple View’s ice cream store is located at 6900 Dairyland Road, just west of Chapel Hill.
Lewis is the fifth generation of his family to farm the land in southern Alamance County and has about 50 cows.
“We are reeling from the shock and worry for our friend,” Hayes wrote on the site.
“We’re still trying to grasp the full financial impact of this incident, but this fundraiser will help pay for Randy’s medical costs and the additional labor while he is unable to work,” she said.
Staff and friends will plan a celebration for Lewis when he finally gets to come home, she added.
“Although a barn dance may not be in the cards for a while, this will be an opportunity to gather in person, share a meal, and tell our favorite Randy stories,” she said.
This story was originally published May 9, 2023 at 3:01 PM.
