Farm Rescue to the rescue

By Tina Foreman, McKenzie County Farmer
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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