DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – The farm aid organization Farm Rescue this fall will help its 200th farmer in the Upper Midwest.

The first man to receive help from the organization says he’s a little surprised that it has grown so quickly.
     Matt Biel (beel) lost a hand in a farming accident in February 2006. Farm Rescue volunteers showed up at his southwest North Dakota farm two months later to help him plant his crops.

 He says he was wary at first but it turned out to be a great thing.
     North Dakota-based Farm Rescue has since expanded to help
farmers in need in South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa. It
has a database of about 1,000 volunteers around the country. Biel
says the volunteers are a big part of Farm Rescue’s success.

 

Previously….

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A farm aid organization that started in North Dakota six years ago is expanding into its fifth state.

Farm Rescue was started by North Dakota farm native Bill Gross, who flies cargo airplanes for UPS.

Farm Rescue organizes volunteers who help injured, ill or disaster-stricken farmers plant and harvest their crops.

The effort began in 2006 with Gross, three other volunteers and not much money. It has since expanded into South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota, and the group is now going into Iowa.

Farm Rescue has helped almost 200 farmers, with aid from volunteers from around the country. It’s supported largely by donations from around the nation – and by more than 200 business sponsors.

Gross says it’s “exciting and inspirational” to see how Farm Rescue has grown.