FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Companies Join Effort to Help Save Family Farms in North Dakota

Bank of North Dakota, Haybuster/Duratech Industries, Kussmaul Seeds and Farm Credit Services Sign on as Sponsors of Nonprofit, Farm Rescue

JAMESTOWN, N.D., September 13, 2005 — Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization founded to help North Dakota farmers in need, today announced that seven additional companies have agreed to participate in the 2006 Farm Rescue program.

The new Farm Rescue sponsors include:

• Bank of North Dakota, Bismarck

• Haybuster/Duratech Industries, Jamestown

• Kussmaul Seeds, Mount Hope, WI

• AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Fargo

• Farm Credit Services of Grand Forks, Grand Forks

• Farm Credit Services of North Dakota, Minot

• Farm Credit Services of Mandan, Mandan

These companies join RDO Equipment Co., which signed on as Exclusive Equipment Sponsor of Farm Rescue in August.

"The Farm Rescue program is off to a terrific start with these new sponsors," said Bill Gross, founder of Farm Rescue. "This is about communities coming together to support the tradition of independent family farmers, strong rural economies and a stable future in agriculture for our youth in North Dakota."

"Bank of North Dakota is pleased to be a sponsor of the 2006 Farm Rescue Program," said Eric Hardmeyer, president of Bank of North Dakota. “BND has a long history of partnering with others to assist the farming community across North Dakota."

"Kussmaul Seeds is proud to be a sponsor of Farm Rescue - helping the small family farms in North Dakota," said Paul Klinkhammer, president of Kussmaul Seeds. "By sticking together, and by working together, like our grandparents did, we can accomplish much more than by going it alone."

Farm Rescue, which is operated by volunteers, is now accepting tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses for the 2006 spring planting season. For information on how to make donations or apply for assistance, visit the Farm Rescue website at www.farmrescue.org or call (701) 526-0947. Look for the Farm Rescue booth (next to Haybuster) at the Big Iron Farm Show in Fargo, September 13-15.

About Farm Rescue:

Farm Rescue is a nonprofit organization that helps North Dakota's family farmers bridge crises so they may have an opportunity to continue viable operations. Farm Rescue's mission is to provide assistance to farm families that have experienced a major illness, injury or an act of nature that has caused undue financial hardship. Farmers who qualify for assistance from Farm Rescue will be eligible to have their agricultural land planted free of charge. More information is available at www.farmrescue.org

About Bank of North Dakota (BND):

The nation’s only state-owned bank, BND was established in 1919 to encourage and promote agriculture, commerce and industry in North Dakota. BND is overseen by the Industrial Commission of North Dakota, consisting of Gov. John Hoeven as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. Visit www.banknd.com

About Haybuster/Duratech Industries:

Haybuster/DuraTech Industries is located in Jamestown, ND and has been in business for nearly 40 years. The company manufactures and distributes agricultural products under the Haybuster brand name. DuraTech Industries also manufactures a complete line of industrial tub and horizontal grinders designed for the wood and green waste reduction market, which are sold under the DuraTech name. The Haybuster and DuraTech product lines are distributed though dealers around the world. Visit www.duratechindustries.net

About Kussmaul Seeds:

Kussmaul Seeds was founded in 1934 by the Kussmaul brothers, Rud and Al, in Mount Hope, Wisconsin. Paul and Connie (Al's daughter) Klinkhammer now run Kussmaul Seeds. Through the years, Kussmaul Seeds has grown and is now marketing corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and forage seed in 15 upper Midwest, Great Plains, and Intermountain West states. Kussmaul Seeds operation, from genetics to delivery and service, emphasizes our tradition of excellence to each Kussmaul customer. Visit www.kussmaulseeds.com

About Farm Credit Services:

AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of Grand Forks, Farm Credit Services of North Dakota and Farm Credit Services of Mandan are independently owned and locally governed lending institutions that provide credit and financial services to farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Contact information:

Farm Rescue

Bill Gross, president

(701) 526-0947

Bill@farmrescue.org

Bank of North Dakota

Peggy L. Anderson, communications & marketing

1-800-554-2717

planderson@state.nd.us

DuraTech Industries

Al Goehring, marketing manager

(701) 252-4601 ext 119