Farm Rescue Expands into Iowa

By CnAgri2012-07-25 19:25:02 Print

Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that plants and harvests crops free of charge for farm families facing unexpected crises resulting from major injury, illness or natural disaster, has expanded into Iowa.

"It's always devastating when a family member experiences an unexpected crisis like a severe injury or illness. When a farm family experiences an unexpected crisis it can be even more devastating," said Bill Gross, Farm Rescue founder. "For many farm families, their livelihood relies on a getting their crops planted and harvested in a timely manner. The assistance we provide is beneficial to rural communities and people throughout the United States. Agriculture plays a large role in the economic well-being of our nation. There are 2.2 million farms in the United States. It is our nation's farms which provide the commodities used to produce healthy and nutritious food for everyone in America."

Armed with dedicated volunteer labor and sponsored farm equipment from RDO Equipment Company, Farm Rescue has planted or harvested crops free of charge for nearly 200 farm families facing a crisis situation such as injury, illness or natural disaster in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana.

"We started helping farmers six years ago because I noticed changing demographics in rural America. Forty or 50 years ago it used to be that neighbors could do all of the work if something happened. Now we're seeing fewer family farms, less children on each farm, and it has simply become harder for neighbors to help one another due to the economic pressures upon their own business operation. Farm Rescue is a structured avenue for farm families to turn for assistance during a time of crisis. Just one injury or illness could be the end of a family farm. That is why Farm Rescue was formed-- to help prevent family farms from ceasing to exist," said Gross, who has been named a CNN hero, featured in People Magazine's "Heroes Among Us," and DirecTV's "Small Town Hero" for his creation of Farm Rescue.

Farm Rescue relies solely on the generosity of its business sponsors, individual donors and grants.