FarmRescue1BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota farmer Tim McLean received a special gift on his 54th birthday — volunteers came from as far as Texas and Kentucky to help his family harvest soybeans.

The work Tuesday also marked a milestone for the Farm Rescue organization — the 400th aid case for the Northern Plains nonprofit.

Bill Gross launched Farm Rescue in North Dakota in 2005. It’s since expanded to South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Montana. Gross told The Associated Press recently that he’d like to widen its geographic reach even more in a year or two.

Farm Rescue does physical labor for farmers in need. McLean says his wife is battling cancer and his father is recovering from a broken leg. He says he’s thankful for the help on his 2,000-acre farm near Wheatland.