WHAT WE THINK--Volunteers key to Farm Rescue

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board), The Jamestown Sun
Published Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Volunteers fill a critical role in Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization founded by Bill Gross, formerly of Cleveland, N.D., helps farmers who are in need of assistance because of an injury, illness or accident. Without volunteers, Farm Rescue wouldn’t operate successfully, and more are needed.

Without the help of Farm Rescue, farms in crisis could be harmed because the work would not get completed in time. Twenty farms — this year alone — have received help from Farm Rescue.

Volunteers from across the state spend days, nights and weekends helping farm the land of farmers who cannot due to a crisis of some sort. Many times, volunteers spend their vacation time as well, and they should be thanked for their time and effort. But the current volunteers cannot do all of the work alone.

Volunteers can take on various roles. Write a check. Harvest grain. Map out combine-accessible routes or manage the Web site. All talents are needed for an operation like Farm Rescue, said board Secretary Wynn Rasmussen.

Volunteers will become more essential as the expanding organization grows. Not only are volunteers helping with harvesting now (they used to only help with planting) but, farms in surrounding states have been helped as well, although funds donated within each state help farms within that respective state, Gross said.

If you can help, Farm Rescue needs you.

Reprinted with permission of Jamestown Sun. October, 09, 2007