![[image]](http://cdn.firespring.com/images/0af7b28f-f350-4d90-bf7f-f7d1074b7c31.png){kind=small}
![[image]](http://cdn.firespring.com/images/d91dfb6b-a133-4d14-a254-94bab84d1b5d.png){kind=small}
![[image]](http://cdn.firespring.com/images/a5732986-96a7-4d9d-b63e-1edd04415296.png){kind=small}
2012 Weekly Highlights
May 7, 2012: In Alsen, ND, Levi, Carol, and Jim Randolph (a new volunteer from Virginia) seeded wheat, canola, and durum for farmer, Terry Roppel, as he recovered from heart surgery. They then headed to Egeland, ND to complete planting there. Afterwards, the crew headed to Sarles, ND to seed for a farmer who underwent emergency surgery.
Meanwhile, Charlie and Rod, seeded 800 acres of wheat in Flasher, ND. Once finished in Flasher, Charlie, Jay, and new volunteer, Brian Matzke, moved planting equipment to Hoven, SD to plant soybeans for a farmer battling cancer.
In Peever, SD, Jim Whitman and Jack planted corn for a farmer recovering from surgery. They moved the equipment to Rogers, ND and are now planting soybeans for a farmer with respiratory problems.
On the road again. Farm Rescue equipment is on the road again to help the next farm family in crisis.
April 30, 2012: Levi and Steve finished seeding in Edmore. They then headed to Egeland to seed for Richard Thomas who is fighting cancer.
Jim, Jack, and Charlie finished planting at Peever, South Dakota for David Argo as he recovers from surgery. Rain clouds entered in and rained out the volunteers.
Charlie and Rod started seeding in Flasher, North Dakota until the rain momentarily stopped their operations.
The rain continued to pour on Friday leaving our heroes soggy and antsy to get back out into the fields.
April 23, 2012: Volunteers Dave Sette and Mark Olson seeded in Glenfield for farmer, Randy Stedman who suffers from a medical illness.
Charlie Bartsch and Dale Lamphere finished seeding in Hazen, ND for farmer Bob Kilber who suffered severe injuries from a car accident. Dave and Mark headed to Edmore where they are seeding for a farmer with a broken leg.
Meanwhile. Jay and new volunteer, Rod Eckroth, started seeding in Flasher, ND for a farmer battling cancer. Ken, Jim, and Jack Rutledge finished planting corn in Aneta, ND and moved to Peever, SD.
Levi Wielenga, Ken Chyle, Bill Gross, and Jim Whitman planted crops in for the Klemetson family Ulen, MN. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as Staci Kelemtson, wife and mother of five (ages 13 to 2) undergoes chemotherapy.
April 16, 2012: The week started out as muddy soup due to a long, rainy weekend. Prior to the rain, our lovable volunteers managed to accomplish a massive amount of work.
The crops are in the ground in Clarkfield, MN where farmer Keith Hanson recovers from some recent seizures. Dave Sette, Ken Chyle, and Dan Pullum have also successfully planted crops in Java, SD. Meanwhile, Charlie Bartsch, Tyler Lautenschlager, and Jay Schepp worked hard to finish planting crops in Robinson, ND.
Meteorologists have forecasted a soggy week. I hope our guys have packed their raincoats! Hang in there, fellas! Next week is supposed to dry up significantly. Remember the famous words sung by a special little redhead, “The sun will come out tomorrow!”
April 9, 2012: Spring has sprung for Farm Rescue. Field operations for 2012 have officially begun! This year, our volunteer crews are operating three planting units. Jim Whitman, our new Regional Operations Manager, Ken Chyle, a first-timer with Farm Rescue, and seasoned volunteer, Charlie Hardie get some training on the new corn planter at RDO in Breckenridge.
Dave Sette and Dan Pullum met up with Ken. They transported the air-seeder and started planting at our first case of the season near Java, SD. The farm belongs to Mike Hirsch who lost the fingers of his right hand in a machinery accident. He will be fitted with a prosthesis this summer and hopefully able to run his combine for the harvest season. We are honored to plant the Hirsch family's crop during their time of need and hope they have a bountiful harvest.
Volunteers Charlie Bartsch, Jay Schepp, Warren Zakopyko, and Gene Spitchke head to their first case in Robinson, ND.
Week of April 2, 2012: That old groundhog lied last month when he forecasted a long winter. The Midwest is enjoying a beautiful, early spring this year. As a result, Farm Rescue plans to assist farmers sooner than ever! In fact, 17 cases have already been approved for planting assistance. It’s not too late for farmers to get their applications in. There are still openings available for assistance.
2012 marks the first year that Farm Rescue will be planting corn. The generous people at RDO Equipment Company have donated the use of brand new John Deere 60' air-seeders, a 24 row corn planter, and the tractors to pull all the equipment. We are looking forward to a wonderful planting season!
