When a family’s livelihood depends on the ability to plant, harvest, or provide for its herd, Farm Rescue is there. Learn about Farm Rescue and see how we’ve assisted more than 1,100 farm and ranch families since our founding in 2005.
Farm Rescue was founded by Bill Gross (right), a native of North Dakota. Like many farm boys before him, it was not possible to continue the family’s farming legacy at a young age due to financial constraints. His parents encouraged him to seek higher education in pursuit of other career opportunities. Bill went on to attend the University of North Dakota to secure an undergraduate degree in BBA and was later awarded an honorary Doctorate degree of Human Letters. During his time at the university, he also secured several pilot ratings and an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
However, his heart never left the farming and ranching community. From a bird’s eye view as a Boeing 747 Captain, flying back and forth across our nation at 40,000 feet, Bill kept looking at the farms below. The changing demographics of rural America – fewer farms, less children per family, fewer neighbors – troubled him. And always in the back of his mind, he remembered his father’s concern about what would happen to their farm should anything debilitating happen.
One day on a long flight over the Pacific Ocean, another pilot asked Bill what he was going to do when he retired. Without hesitation, Bill answered, “I’m going to be this Good Samaritan that buys a tractor and goes around helping farm families plant their crops when they have a major injury or illness.” That generated some laughter until his coworker realized Bill was serious. In a similar conversation soon after, Bill was challenged by another friend not to wait until retirement to pursue this dream.
Bill Gross launched Farm Rescue in 2005 and continues to serve in a volunteer capacity as Chairman of the board. The nonprofit has become a well-known, successful organization with dedicated volunteers throughout the nation and a strong following of supporters.
Farm Rescue is the only nonprofit organization of its kind providing farm and ranch families with the operational support they need in times of crisis. Farm Rescue sees a world where family farms and ranches thrive for generations to come.
We believe successful farms fuel successful societies.
We believe even the most independent farmers need help sometimes. Asking for help is protecting the future.
We believe anything is possible when we work together.
We believe making a difference today will impact the next generations.
We believe giving of your time and talents are more meaningful than any other pursuit in life. It’s why we were put on this earth — to love our neighbors.
Look under the hood and dive into the Farm Rescue financials. We are grateful for every cent we are given, and we owe it to everyone to show how we use these precious resources.
Title | Year | Format | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 Annual Report | 2024 | PDF | Coming Soon |
2023 Annual Report | 2023 | PDF | |
2022 Annual Report | 2022 | PDF | |
2021 Annual Report | 2021 | PDF |
At Farm Rescue, our generous partners provide the resources our team needs to do its work. Explore our list of companies, foundations, and families who help us accomplish more for farmers and ranchers in crisis.
P.O. Box 28
Horace, ND 58047
(701) 252-2017
info@farmrescue.org
Monday through Friday
8:00 AM through 5:00 PM
