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Volunteer Spotlight
Andrew Wittenburg: Florence, Oregon
Andy Wittenburg, a down-to-earth pastor, is not only great at tending his flock; he’s fantastic with a combine! If a combine needs hauling, operating, or fixing, Andy’s the man for the job. He’s an enthusiastic volunteer who likes to get after things and work, work, work.
His jovial spirit and good nature make him instantly likeable to anyone who meets him. Andy is brimful of wisdom and good humor. A person just feels good after encountering such a lovable man. He is as inspirational as he is capable.
Thank you, Andy, for being such a blessing to Farm Rescue. You are truly appreciated!
Q: How long have you been a volunteer with Farm Rescue?
A: Two Years
Q: What prompted you to join the organization?
A: I enjoy farming and helping people. Farm Rescue allows me to do both at the same time. I consider it getting my "farming fix," and only those who grew up on a farm loving it can understand it, but for me it is a lot of fun!
Q: What is your work/career background?
A: I grew up on a family farm in Iowa, and I farmed for ten years after graduating from High School. I then chose to go to Walla Walla College near Walla Walla, Washington because they had a farm where I could continue to enjoy farming and work my way through school. I am now a pastor but I rarely pass up an opportunity to get back on a farm and do some farming.
Q: What is your favorite Farm Rescue moment/memory?
A: It occurs when we complete each case: We, the Farm Rescue Volunteers, feel really good about completing the job and having helped out the farm family, and the farm family overflows with appreciation for what we have done. It is something that cannot be replaced by anything else that I know of, and words fall quite short of adequately describing it.
Clarence Kuss: Farm Rescue's MacGyver
Every organization should be so lucky to have a top-notch mechanic in its ranks. Give Clarence Kuss a piece of metal (even a paperclip) and a problem to solve, and he'll weld a tool together that is worthy of a patent... he'll even paint it a nice John Deere green.
Our MacGyver is a quiet, unassuming man will a gentle demeanor and a smile that lights up a room.
Thank you, Clarence, for being a good and faithful volunteer and for having a heart of gold!
Q: What is your work/career background?
A: I work for Duratech, a farm machine manufacturing company in Jamestown, that makes Haybuster equipment. I have worked for Duratech for over 35 years.
Q: What prompted you to join the organization?
A: The love of farming and the satisfaction of helping others.
Q: What is your favorite Farm Rescue moment or memory?
A: When Bill Gross took the time to help me learn to run the tractor and grain drill.
Becca Bohnsack: Graphic Designer Extraordinaire
For as many volunteers as we have in the field, Farm Rescue is fortunate to have some terrific volunteers out of the field. Chief among them are Becca Bohnsack and Pam Culver of La Crosse, WI. Together, they make up the dynamic duo of Gathering Waters Design, a marketing and graphics design company owned by Pam that specializes in agriculture. The company is among Farm Rescue's most important in-kind sponsors as they donate their time and talents to our cause.
With an eye for flare, Becca designed Farm Rescue's first annual brochure and subsequent brochures, as well as many other promotional items. If it looks good, it probably was designed by Becca!
Q: What is your work/career background?
A: I grew up on a farm in southern Iowa. Pam spent many years working for agricultural companies before starting Gathering Waters Design.
Q: What prompted you to join the organization?
A: A client of ours, Kussmaul Seeds, is a Farm Rescue sponsor and told us about the organization.
Q: What is your favorite Farm Rescue moment or memory?
A: I enjoy reading about all the people that the organization has helped.
Dave Sette of Grafton, WI
When you first meet Dave Sette, somehow it's as if you've known him your entire life. There is instant likability to this strong, teddy bear of a man. He is kind. He is very capable. He is fun... and he can really make Bill Gross laugh.
After seeing a clip of Farm Rescue on the Today Show, Dave arrived in North Dakota in 2008. He was on the "injured reserve list" last year due to a shoulder injury, but arrived this spring (2010) anxious to get back in the field. When the rain came during his two-week stay, Dave called his boss and was able to extend his "vacation" a week longer which was a godsend to Farm Rescue. He moved equipment with our semi and trailer and spent long hours in the tractor planting in western North Dakota and eastern Montana.
Thank you, Dave, for having a heart as big as some of the fields you planted this spring! You have touched many lives.
Q: What is your work/career background?
A: I am a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for the Public Works Department in Grafton, WI.
Q: What prompted you to join the organization?
A: I saw a story on the Today Show.
Q: What is your favorite Farm Rescue moment or memory?
A: The most meaningful memory I have is really every case. It is great knowing I'm helping and the families truly appreciate it. Farm Rescue has been around long enough now that people have come up to me and said "thank you" for helping someone in their family or a neighbor or friend.
Chad Hansen of Anchorage, AK
Chad Hansen grew up on a farm in the Big Sky Country of Highwood, MT. His willingness to help others is as big as the sky in which he now makes a living as a pilot for UPS Airlines.
For two planting seasons, Chad has traded the inside of a cockpit for the inside of a tractor cab... traveling from Alaska at his own expense to volunteer for Farm Rescue. Strong and reliable, Chad is quick to say he receives more than he gives when helping farm families.
Thank you, Chad, for your commitment to Farm Rescue and the many fields you have planted on our behalf. Read more about Chad below... his own words give great insight into the man he is!
Q: What is your work/career background?
A: I am a pilot for UPS.
Q: What prompted you to join the organization?
A: Growing up on a farm in Montana, it's nearly automatic to lend a hand and help a neighbor. Sometimes you have the resources and sometimes you don't. Farm Rescue has a lot of neighbors, and all its members and supporters supply the means by which I can lend a hand. All I had to do was show up. So I did.
Q: What is your favorite Farm Rescue moment or memory?
A: Each family and case we attend to hold specific memories for me. The personalities, attitudes and strength of those who find themselves at a sudden, unforeseen disadvantage are truly remarkable. As is often the case in these types of instances, those giving aid receive more than the balance in return. But I would have to say that working with Smokey Wright stands out. He's a true salt of the earth. We had to replace a fuel filter one day while transporting the tractor. Within minutes, perfect strangers were eager to help. We were back on the road in no time. But that is how it goes when you hang around Smokey. Even the worst problems make you smile. I suspect he does that for a lot of folks.
The Limkes: Farm Rescue's First Volunteer Family
Dedication to family is the only way to describe Jack & Genita Limke's volunteerism with Farm Rescue. Not only does this selfless couple travel thousands of miles annually (sometimes more) from Bardstown, KY, to help farm families in need, they bring their young daughters to help as well!
From the very beginning in 2006, the Limke family has been an invaluable asset to Farm Rescue. Genita brings as many skills to the field and off the field as Jack, and both are largely responsible for Farm Rescue's success today.
Thank you Jack, Genita, Megan and Anna for the hope, comfort and laughter you bring to farm families when they need it most!
Q: What is your work/career background?
A: Jack grew up on a farm in Carpio, ND, and worked for neighboring farms as a teenager. He ran heavy equipment for seven years and has been a commercial airline pilot for the last 24 years. Genita is originally from Portland, OR. She taught for 10 years before becoming a mother. Now, she stays busy being a wife, mother and homeschool teacher.
Q: What prompted you to join the organization?
A: Bill told Jack about the organization during a long flight they were both on and asked Jack to volunteer! Since Jack grew up on a farm, he had farm experience and wanted to help. But he didn't want to be so far away from home without his family, so Genita and daughters have been tagging along on most trips!
Q: What is your favorite Farm Rescue moment or memory?
A: Our whole family has very fond memories of spring planting in 2008 when we "lived" in the Farm Rescue field trailer for about a month, traveling from farm to farm. We so enjoyed getting to know the farmers and their families by being right on their farms. Our children enjoyed the new experiences at each farm, always wanting to stay because "this is the best farm ever." Yet, each farm was unique and exciting, with new adventures awaiting us. The last farm we volunteered at in northern North Dakota was quite an inspiration to our family. We saw how self-sufficient it is still possible to be, from beekeeping to breadbaking to cheesemaking to homeschooling! The lessons learned from that trip are still discussed among our girls!
