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Pilot’s dream to the rescue By Connie Krapp He flies planes all over the world, to exotic places like Hong Kong and
In recent months, Bill has stepped much closer to that dream. He has founded an organization called Farm Rescue. But the organization has little to do with what Bill wants to do with his own personal goals. Instead, the organization was launched to rescue real farms struggling with real problems. Bill, who grew up on a
Bill says he has spoken to his fellow pilots a lot about
Bill says he was adamant that the organization have only the utmost expertise when forming its board of directors. “I knew we would be making judgments about financial viability with each application, but that’s not where my expertise lies. So we needed to find that expertise in other members of the board of directors,” he said. “And I am so pleased about the people that have agreed to serve. They know the financial world like nobody else, they’re the best of the best. Without their help, we just wouldn’t have such progress and wouldn’t be where we are today.” Time has come Where they are today is remarkable, considering the organization only incorporated in January of 2005. Although Bill, who flies a Boeing 747 for UPS Airlines, is busy flying all over the world for his job, he has led a passionate effort to jumpstart Farm Rescue from a mere concept into a full-fledged 501(c)3 organization complete with structure, volunteers, corporate sponsors, a Website, promotional materials, and statewide publicity in a matter of months.
“Bill certainly has had a passion, and has spent a lot of time and effort and his own money to get this thing going,” says Wynn Rasmussen, Farm Loan Manager of the Stutsman County Farm Service Agency. “But I really believe that there is going to be a time when it all fits together, when we see a need arise and we look at the situation and are so glad that we have this available. That is why I have been willing to serve on the board. I really think it is a good cause, a good idea.”
Gerald Horner, Farm Rescue Treasurer and Medina Branch Manager of Northland Financial, who also raises cattle on his family ranch near Dawson, sees Farm Rescue as a throwback to the days when neighborhoods were full of family farms. “When one struggled, they’d all pull together and help each other out,” he says. “In today’s world, with all their time commitments, they are finding it hard if not impossible to be there for the neighbors during tough times.”
Tom Olson, Vice President of Farm Rescue and NDSU Extension Agent, Cropping Systems, says that changing demographics have not only left a void that used to be filled by neighbors, but also they have left one that was formerly filled by family. “Years ago, a family farm was operated by the entire family—and that meant the husband and his wife and children. When an illness or accident occurred, other family members pitched in, and neighbors came over to help them. But today, we have the farmer’s wife working in town, we have his children in school or off in another state, and we have the neighbors in the same predicament,” he says. “So when an accident occurs or an illness strikes, we have nobody to come to the rescue. This is where we need an organization like Farm Rescue. Changing demographics in the farm sector dictates the need for this, and I really believe its time has come.” The force is with you Farm Rescue offers help seeding up to 1,000 acres of crop for applicants who meet the qualifications, which include these stipulations: must have farmed for at least three years; can’t farm more than 3,000 acres; can’t gross more than $350,000 in annual sales. The organization provides everything a farmer needs to put the crop into the ground except the seed, chemical and fertilizer. An all-volunteer staff includes not only Bill, but also other pilots who also have farm backgrounds. “I am not the only farm kid who grew up and became a pilot,” says Bill. “As they say, ‘You can take the kid off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the kid.’ We all are giving up our vacations for this.”
During the upcoming planting season, Bill’s pilot friends, Jack Limke of
Bill says the organization has been extremely fortunate to have gained several key sponsorships that have allowed them to offer assistance to farmers anywhere in the state, no matter how remote. “RDO Equipment Co. is contributing use of equipment free of charge for this farming year—and will transport it anywhere, wherever it is needed,” he says. “They will provide the maintenance on that equipment as well, since they have dealerships all over the state.”
In addition to RDO, which is the exclusive equipment sponsor, Farm Rescue has garnered several sponsorships from various businesses around the state. “We have an array of businesses and individuals that have given us cash and in-kind contributions, and we are so grateful for each and every donation,” says Bill. “We’ve still got such a long way to go in terms of everything we need on our end, but we already are getting requests for help and are seeing the applications come streaming in.”
Bill says already, there are more than 10 applications for help, but he isn’t sure the organization’s limit has been surpassed. “Our ultimate goal, someday, is to never have to say “no” to all the need out there—to always have the resources to help the need when it is there,” says Bill. “When I think of how decent and hard-working
“People aren’t only farmers or ranchers anymore, many have off-the-farm jobs. In today’s world, with all their time commitments, they are finding it hard if not impossible to be there for the neighbors during tough times.” --Gerald Horner, “Years ago, a family farm was operated by the entire family—and that meant the husband and his wife and children. When an illness or accident occurred, other family members pitched in, and neighbors came over to help them. But today, we have the farmer’s wife working in town, we have his children in school or off in another state, and we have the neighbors in the same predicament,” he says. “So when an accident occurs or an illness strikes, we have nobody to come over to the rescue. This is where we need an organization like Farm Rescue. Changing demographics in the farm sector dictates the need for this, and I really believe its time has come.” --Tom Olson, Extension Agent, Farm Service Agency
Cleveland, No. Dak. native Bill Gross flies international skies to make his living, but his heart is still in the soil and with the farmers of
Gerald Horner is treasurer of Farm Rescue. He also ranches near
Wynn Rasmussen, left, and Tom Olson are “Helping Save Family Farms” Telephone: 701-526-0947 Fax: 888-726-7597
Son of John Gross, Jr. and Pilot, UPS Airlines Board of Directors Bill Gross, President Tom Olson, Vice President Wynn Rasmussen, Secretary Gerald Horner, Treasurer Tom Silbernagel Reuben Liechty Equipment Operators Jack Limke Reuben Liechty Equipment Sponsor
Reprinted with permission of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative. March 08, 2006 |
