Farm Rescue to the rescue
By Tina Foreman, McKenzie County
Farmer
What would you do if
you couldn’t work due to an injury?
You would probably
struggle financially while you recovered, but you would get by.
Imagine you are a
farmer and can’t get your crop in due to an injury. You would not only be
without work during recovery but you would be without income for an entire year
because you would have no crop to harvest.
Phil and Donna Moen of Arnegard
recently found themselves in that exact situation, until Farm Rescue
volunteered to seed 1,000 acres of their farm.
On Feb.
7, Phil and Donna were traveling through Idaho to visit their son in Nevada,
when a sudden snowstorm changed their lives forever.
"We
were driving and all of a sudden the snow started and you couldn’t see
anything," says Donna. "Phil kept saying just keep going, don’t stop
and we will be alright. As if he were talking to the truck in
front of us."
The
truck in front of the Moens did stop, leaving them no
other option but to stop as well. While they were stopped, the Moen vehicle was
struck from behind by a semi.
"I
remember driving in the snow and being hit from behind," says Phil.
"I don’t remember anything after that and from
what I’ve been told I’m glad I don’t remember."
As a
result of the accident Donna broke her right shoulder requiring surgery.
"The
doctor says I’m lucky," adds Donna. "My shoulder has healed. Now I
will begin physical therapy."
Although
lucky, Phil received numerous injuries including broken bones in his left foot
and leg, a broken hip and pelvic bone, torn ligaments in his left knee and head
injuries requiring brain surgery.
Phil
and Donna began their recovery in Idaho and were later transported to North
Dakota. After nine weeks in the hospital, Phil was released to continue his
recovery at home.
"I
don’t want to remember the accident, but we are very fortunate to be home after
just nine weeks," says Donna. "The doctors are amazed at how fast we
are both recovering."
Although
the Moens are back home it
will be a long time before life is back to normal. But with help from the Farm
Rescue organization, their crops will be waiting when they are ready to get
back to farming.
Farm
Rescue is a nonprofit organization that helps family farmers
bridge crises so they have an opportunity to continue viable operations.
Farm
Rescue provides planting and harvesting assistance to farm families that have
experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster. Qualifying farmers may
be eligible to have their agricultural land planted or harvested free of
charge.
"Right
now we have two crews working around the clock," says Bill Gross, founder
of Farm Rescue. "We have 26 cases in North Dakota, South Dakota and
Minnesota for spring planting."
Farm
Rescue does not distribute funds to farmers. Donations are used to pay for the
expenses associated with planting and harvesting crops. Labor for operating the
equipment is provided by Farm Rescue volunteers and equipment is donated.
"There
are volunteers coming from all over the United States to help Farm Rescue this
spring. They include airline pilots, management personnel, retired farmers and
college students," said Christina Hood, director of Operations. "We
are honored to have such good people joining together to help Farm Rescue
accomplish its mission."
According
to Gross, farmers in need submit an application, but at least half of Farm
Rescue cases come from a neighbor or other referral.
"In
most cases we receive a referral and we contact the family and have them submit the application," says Gross. "We don’t
find many people willing to ask for help."
According
to Gross, Farm Rescue doesn’t help farmers in financial need. The farming
operation must be viable, just needing help to get through this year with plans
of coming back.
"Right
now there is a group of four retired farmers from the Minot and Washburn areas
helping the Moens," says Gross. "They run
in two shifts working 10 to 12 hours through the night so they can get done and
move on to the next location."
Farm
Rescue has four additional slots available for critical cases that may arise
during the spring planting season.
"Oh
man, Farm Rescue is a great thing," says Phil. "It takes the worry
away like a huge weight being lifted off."
According
to Phil, neighbors have stepped up and offered to plant what Farm Rescue
doesn’t, and help with the rest of the farming until he is able to take over.
"Phil
is lucky to be here after the injuries he suffered," adds Donna. "We
are excited to be going home, but also apprehensive about how things will go.
Farm Rescue takes a big load off our minds."
For
more information on how to donate, volunteer or apply for assistance, visit the
Farm Rescue web site at www.farmrescue.org.
Reprinted with permission of McKenzie County Farmer. April 16, 2008