Farm Rescue to plant seeds of hope Farm Rescue is preparing for its first field trials this year. The newly-formed non-profit organization intends to help farm families that have experienced a major illness, injury, or an act of nature that has caused undue financial hardship get through spring planting. “We are expanding on the neighbor helping neighbor concept,” says Bill Gross, founder of Farm Rescue. Gross grew up on on a family farm near Qualifying farmers are eligible to have their agricultural land planted free of charge in the spring. There are a few provisions that applicants to the program need to keep in mind. Farm Rescue will limit its planting assistance to 1,000 acres per family farm; soil must be suitable for no-till planting; and farmers must provide seed and fertilizer on site. Farm Rescue does not distribute funds to farmers. Instead, donations–in the form of cash or equipment–to Farm Rescue will be used to support spring planting efforts. Labor for operating the equipment will be provided by Farm Rescue volunteers. Applicants for assistance must farm less than 3,000 acres and have gross annual sales of $350,000 or less and have at least three years of farming experience. These requirements may be waived in cases of illness.
An independent committee will review applications and offer recommendations on how best to use Farm Rescue’s limited resources to accomplish the most good. The committee maintains all applications as confidential. The committee is comprised of individuals from Farm Rescue, North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Services, Farm Service Agency, NDSU Extension Service, and Northland Financial. Successful applicants will be notified by April 7. Tax-deductible donations are now being accepted to assist farmers in the spring of 2006. The number of actual farmers that will receive help will depend on the amount of donations received from businesses and individuals. North Dakota Farmers Union is among the organization’s sponsors. “Farmers face ongoing challenges from one year to the next. Farm Rescue’s efforts to help producers beset by weather, health, or economic hardships is inspiring,” said Robert Carlson, president of North Dakota Farmers Union. “We are grateful they are making a difference in the lives of farm families, and we are proud to support this program.” Farmers have until March 15 to apply for spring planting assistance. Applications may be obtained by loggin onto Farm Rescue’s website (
www.farmrescue.org) or calling 701-526-0947. Gross is looking for volunteers who have farming experience willing to contribute their time to the effort. He also welcomes calls from companies and organizations that want to provide equipment or cash to support Farm Rescue. “I can see a farmer at one end of the state helping a farmer on the other end of the state.” This will be Farm Rescue’s first year of operation. Gross says the organization has bigger plans. If things work out well this year, Farm Rescue may consider expanding its assistance next year to include harvest. Reprinted with permission of Union Farmer, North Dakota Farmers Union. January 2006