Six Months Later: Templeton Feed and Grain Looks Ahead with Gratitude, Grit, and Resolve
By Hayley Mattson · Fri Jan 30 2026
By Hayley Mattson and Camille DeVaul
By any measure, the loss of the Templeton Feed and Grain silos was more than the loss of a building. It was the loss of a landmark, a livelihood, and a piece of Templeton’s collective identity. Six months after the devastating July fire that brought down the iconic silos, the Jermin family are still navigating the aftermath—step by step—while holding fast to the community, history, and purpose that have defined their family business for nearly eight decades.
We sat down with Rick and Stacey Jermin at Vina Robles, just down the street from their temporary home at 1650 Ramada Drive, where Templeton Feed and Grain is now operating out of a 10,000-square-foot warehouse. It was important to them, they said, to share an update with the community that has surrounded them with unwavering support since the fire.
“It’s incredibly humbling,” Rick shared. “You think you’re just running a family business—something your grandfather started—and then something like this happens. And suddenly you realize how many people care, how many people are invested in this place.”
On the night of July 4, flames erupted at Templeton Feed and Grain, ultimately consuming the silos that had stood tall along Main Street for generations. Built in the 1950s after Rick’s grandfather purchased the original feed store, the towering structures became synonymous with Templeton’s skyline. For nearly 80 years, the granary stood as both a working facility and a symbol—of agriculture, of perseverance, and of small-town pride.
Founded in 1946 by Tom Jermin Sr., the business evolved as the community evolved. The silos were built from 2x6 Douglas fir laid flat and held together with an astonishing 50 tons of nails. Inside those walls, Templeton Feed and Grain produced custom feed blends—formulas created by Rick’s grandfather—that became renowned well beyond San Luis Obispo County. At one point, overseas buyers were calling to purchase what many consider some of the highest-quality rabbit feed available.
“Showing rabbits is a really big deal,” Rick shared with a smile. “And our feed was producing some of the best rabbits out there.”
“Locals come in and share stories of the countless prize-winning animals raised on Templeton feed,” Stacey added.
But since the fire, what once stood as a 100-foot-tall landmark is now a cleared dirt lot, surrounded by chain-link fencing. The adobe façade that remained standing after the blaze has become a silent marker of what was—and what might have been.
"This was a tremendous loss to our family and the community," Rick explained. "Templeton Feed and Grain has always been about being there for our customers. That shared commitment is what keeps us going."
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Jermin family faced a daunting question: how to continue serving their customers without a facility. Help came swiftly. Penny Newman, a feed store out of Hanford, stepped in almost immediately to ensure Templeton Feed and Grain’s custom blends could continue to be produced exactly as Rick’s grandfather designed them—and they have been doing so for the Jermins since July.
“Penny Newman stepped right in, no questions asked, and worked with us on our special blends so our customers are getting the same feed they’ve always counted on,” Rick shared. “That has truly been a lifesaver for us.”
At the same time, local business owner Andy Brown of ABI Engineering jumped in to assist with the removal of unstable remains and has been instrumental in guiding the Jermin family through the complex engineering and demolition process—support that continues to this day. Rick credits Andy with being a steady and essential presence throughout the last six months.
Last September, the community rallied together during the Templeton Revival fundraiser, raising more than $400,000 and lifting spirits as neighbors gathered with one shared hope: that Templeton Feed and Grain would one day rebuild. That question—what comes next?—has been at the forefront ever since.
The answer, Rick and Stacey shared, is yes—they are rebuilding. But not in the way they originally envisioned.
Engineers and architects have since determined that the remaining adobe façade on Main Street—saved with the hope of building onto it—cannot be feasibly incorporated into new construction. As a result, the adobe building will come down, making way for a safe new chapter. Demolition is scheduled to begin on February 4.
“That was a hard reality to face,” Rick said. “But every step of this process has been about figuring out what’s actually possible, not just what we wish could happen.”
“We know this will be hard for the community to see,” Stacey added, “which is why we wanted to share this with everyone—so you all know what the plan is and why it needed to come down.”
Permitting, land clearing, environmental reviews, and approvals have made the past six months feel like a series of hurdles—each one necessary, each one time-consuming, and each carrying a tremendous cost. The Jermins are quick to acknowledge the support they have received along the way, particularly from San Luis Obispo County and Supervisor John Peschong, who has advocated on their behalf throughout the process.
“There are so many steps people don’t see,” Rick said. “The county has been very supportive, and so has John [Peschong]. We’re grateful for the help and guidance as we work through all the layers it takes to move forward. There’s just a lot involved. We probably underestimated how long all of this takes.”
Because of those realities, rebuilding will likely happen in stages, both financially and logistically. While timelines remain fluid, the family hopes to begin the rebuilding within the next few months after the final demolition is complete.
Throughout it all, the outpouring of community support has left a lasting impression—none more visible than the sea of green Templeton Feed and Grain hats, an image burned into Rick and Stacey’s memory from that devastating week.
"It was overwhelming to see all of the support from the community," Rick said.
Stacey echoed that sentiment.
“There’s no way we could ever properly thank everyone,” she said. “The kindness, the messages, the offers to help—it’s been incredibly moving.”
Six months later, the loss is still deeply felt—but so is the resolve. Templeton Feed and Grain is still here, serving customers, honoring its past, and steadily building toward the future.
"A big part of what we wanted to share is our appreciation and to give an update on the steps we're taking to rebuild," Rick said.
The Jermin family wanted to share their heartfelt gratitude with the community:
"Thank you so much for your thoughtful donations. Our family is deeply touched by your generosity and by your shared love for Templeton Feed and Grain. Losing such an iconic building has been heartbreaking, but your kindness and support have brought us comfort and strength. Templeton Feed and Grain was never just a building—it was the people and the community who gave it life. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during this difficult time. We look forward to one day once again calling Main Street home."
Through it all, the Jermins’ commitment remains unwavering. Even amid challenges and setbacks, their family business—and the community that surrounds it—continues to thrive, bridging the past with hope for the future.
Feature Image by Hayley Mattson/ATN