Farm Rescue Increases Sponsors, Plans to Expand  By ELOISE OGDEN Regional Editor In less than a year, Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization helping family farmers in crisis in North Dakota, has gone from no sponsors and now to an organization with 41 sponsors, according to Bill Gross of Cleveland, N.D., Farm Rescue founder and president. RDO Equipment, a John Deere dealership and the exclusive equipment sponsor for the program, was Farm Rescue’s first sponsor. The most recent businesses to join, including a number from Minot and area, are as follows: ­ Cenex in Beulah. ­ Central Power Electric Cooperative in Minot. ­ Farmers Union Oil in Jamestown. ­ Farmers Grain & Oil in Cando. ­ First Western Bank & Trust in Minot. ­ Gross Farm & Ranch in Carrington. ­ South Central Grain in Napoleon. ­ Southwest Grain in Dickinson. ­ SRT Communications in Minot. ­ Sun Prairie Grain in Minot. ­ Unison in Jamestown. ­ Wiest Truck Line in Jamestown. The organization is operated entirely by volunteers, but the donations from businesses and individuals help finance overall operations, Gross said. "Farm Rescue has received very positive support from businesses and individuals all across North Dakota," Gross said. "We followed through on what we promised." The organization’s first year of operation was a major success thanks to our generous volunteers and sponsors, Gross said. Farm Rescue successfully completed spring planting for 10 family farms throughout North Dakota, Gross said. He said the organization plans to increase the number of farmers who will receive assistance in 2007 and also has planned two events to help raise funds. Farmers who received planting assistance this spring were: Matt Biel of Dickinson, Emil Fandrich of Richardton, Kevin Sailer of Dodge, Tom Ahmann of Foxholm, Lowell Hartvickson of Willow City, Kelly Smeltzer of Cando, Jeff Bata of Kensal, Dewayne Heil of Ashley, Charles Loll of Wahpeton and Brian Hardy of Walhalla. Planting to assist the farmers began April 11 and was completed June 1. "The crop is coming up and it looks good," said Nancy Mickelson, Tom and Margie Ahmann’s daughter. Mickelson submitted her dad’s name to Farm Rescue this past spring. Tom Ahmann has been battling cancer. "I continue to promote what an awesome program Farm Rescue is and how it has helped our family. I can’t say enough good things of the sponsors and what the program did for us and all of North Dakota," Mickelson said. Fundraising events Farm Rescue plans to increase the number of family farmers who will receive assistance in 2007. Two fundraising events are scheduled to help the organization raise operating funds for possible fall harvesting assistance, as well as for next year's spring planting. The first annual Farm Rescue golf tournament will be held Aug. 24 at the Rose Creek Golf Course in Fargo. Prizes include a 2006 Chevy truck. The cost is $100. Registration is at noon with tee off at 1 p.m. For reservations call 235-5100. The first Farm Rescue hunting raffle drawing will be Oct. 2 in Jamestown. Raffle tickets will be available to buy until Sept. 30. The cost per ticket is $100. Each of the 10 winning raffle ticket will include one week of hunting access for five people. The hunting locations are mainly in western and northern North Dakota and five in Minnesota. For more information about the golf tournament and the hunting raffle visit (www.farmrescue.org) or call Farm Rescue at 526-0947. Reprinted with permission of the Minot Daily News.  June 15, 2006