Farm Rescue for Brent Strand

Trista Jetvig, WDAY, Published Friday, May 16, 2008

Nome, North Dakota (WDAY TV) - It's been a rollercoaster ride for one area farm family. After suffering a stroke about a month ago, Brent Strand was in need of help on their farm. This afternoon, the strand family from Nome, North Dakota, got the help they've been praying for.

Brian Strand wasn't even able to walk just a few weeks ago. Today he is working to get his strength back, all the while worrying about how he could support his family, by planting a spring crop. He says that worry turned to relief today as volunteers took to his fields.

Volunteers like Lowell Rothmann of Washburn North Dakota were out determined to get Brian Strand's 750 acres of soybeans in the ground.

Lowell: “When I wasn't doing anything this year, I figured it would be a good thing to help out with.”

It's much-needed help for the 40 year old Strand who is still too weak to climb up into his tractor after suffering a severe stroke in April, just when he was scheduled to get started planting. Today's help came just in time, “Otherwise we'd be really far behind these are the first beans we've seeded and it’s already the middle of May so it's a really good deal.”

Farm Rescue's President Bill Gross says its mission is to help any family in need, because getting the crops in is crucial for family farmers so they can make a living. Family, friends, and farm rescue workers watched as row after row was planted, members of the Strand family say they can’t explain with words how they feel to have complete strangers come in and give time to help their family out.

The volunteers planted throughout the day and are expected to finish tomorrow morning. Farm Rescue is planning to help 28 farmers from around the area plant this season, that's double the amount from last year,

Printed with permission from WDAY, May 16, 2008