News & Events

The sun sets on standing water in the fields near Rogers, ND. This photo was taken in the spring of 2011 by first-time volunteer Levi Wielenga of Sioux City, IA.

Farm Rescue planting equipment soaks up some sun during the 2011 planting season. RDO Equipment Co. generously donates to Farm Rescue the farming equipment needed to plant and harvest crops for family farmers in need.

First-time volunteer Dave Hertel, left, of Chandler, AZ, works alongside Dave Sette of Grafton, WI, during the 2011 planting season. Sette is a long-time volunteer who helped train in Hertel during his first season with Farm Rescue.

Volunteer Ted Smith washes off the planting equipment after a run in the field during the 2011 planting season. Smith is a new volunteer from Flandreau, SD.

The track tractor on loan from RDO Equipment Co. gets a muddy workout in a North Dakota field during the 2011 planting season. RDO Equipment Co. generously donates all of the farm equipment used by Farm Rescue to help family farmers plant and harvest their crops free of charge.

Rain hampered field operations in the 2011 planting season and created treacherous travel conditions, including flooded roads in North Dakota.

Our trucks are sporting a new image on their back windows for the Farm Rescue Foundation. Efforts are underway to grow the Foundation through charitable giving, which will help sustain Farm Rescue.

Reminiscent of the famous "Lunch atop a Skyscraper" photo, left, taken in New York City in 1932 by Charles C. Ebbets, Farm Rescue volunteers, right, take a little break from harvest work in the North Dakota fields during the fall of 2010. We like to call this one "Break atop a Combine Header Trailer."

Farm Rescue volunteers harvest wheat in Bowbells, ND, on the farm of Dennis Bauer, whose home and farm equipment were destroyed by a tornado in August of 2010.

Farm Rescue volunteers bring in the harvest at Bowbells, ND.

While some Farm Rescue volunteers combine, others take turns hauling loads of wheat to the elevator.

Andy Wittenburg, a Farm Rescue volunteer, prepares to load and transport a combine to its next farm destination. Andy, who works as a pastor in Florence, OR, grew up on a farm in Iowa. Andy used his three weeks of vacation time to travel to North Dakota and volunteer for Farm Rescue in the fall of 2010. Andy's skills both in the field and at the wheel proved to be invaluable during the harvest season.

Bill Krumwiede, Farm Rescue's very first volunteer, works on a combine during the 2010 harvest season. Krumwiede lives in Voltaire, ND.

A row of Farm Rescue trucks participates in the 2010 North Dakota State Fair Parade. The parade was held in July 2010 in Minot, ND.

This 1950 GMC truck proudly joined the fleet of Farm Rescue trucks at the 2010 North Dakota State Fair Parade in Minot, ND. The truck was donated to Farm Rescue by Wally Brandjord and friends of Bottineau, ND.

The 1950 GMC truck sports the Farm Rescue logo at the 2010 North Dakota State Fair Parade. The truck was donated to Farm Rescue by Wally Brandjord and friends of Bottineau, ND.

Smokey Wright, a long-time Farm Rescue volunteer, sits on the Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was given away in the 2010 Rolling with Farm Rescue contest. The bike was on display in the back of a Farm Rescue truck during the 2010 North Dakota State Fair Parade in Minot, ND.

Farm Rescue volunteers plant wheat on Bruce Emery's farm near Luverne, ND, in April 2010, after Bruce suffered a leg injury. Wind energy development has added a new dimension to the North Dakota landscape, as many "wind towers," such as the ones seen here, have recently sprouted up around North Dakota.

Volunteers Randy Weaver, left, and Bruce Radloff clean the tractor and change its oil. Bruce travelled to North Dakota from his home in Interlocken, NY, to help with the 2010 planting season. Weaver is a long-time Farm Rescue volunteer who lives in Shelbyville, KY.

Farm Rescue volunteer Steve Bettenhausen rounds the bend while planting soybeans in a field in North Dakota. Bettenhausen lives in Fingal, ND, and volunteered for Farm Rescue during the 2010 planting season.

The Boys in Blue take a trip down memory lane, comparing some old-school farm equipment to their new fangle-dangled farm equipment.

Remember, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

U.S. Senator Kent Conrad, center, visits with Dennis Bauer, left, and Farm Rescue founder Bill Gross at Bauer's farm near Bowbells, ND. In August of 2010, Bauer's home, farmstead and farm equipment were destoryed by a tornado.

After his visit, Conrad commended Farm Rescue and the organization's spirit of "neighbor helping neigbhor," saying that Farm Rescue sets a great example for the rest of the country. "People are always going to suffer disasters; that's something we always confront," Conrad said. "But to have neighbors step forward and say, 'We're going to be there for you,' that means a lot."

Farm Rescue volunteers help Dennis Bauer clean up after a tornado ripped through his farmstead, destroying his home and farming equipment near Bowbells, ND. Thankfully, Dennis was not injured when the tornado struck his home on August 12, 2010.

Jack Limke, left, and Dave Sette share a laugh while visiting with Arlo Borud, an assisted farmer (not pictured). Farm Rescue reunited Jack with Arlo, who was Jack's teacher when Jack was a young boy growing up in Carpio, ND.

Today, Jack resides in Bardstown, KY, and is a full-time pilot for UPS Airlines. Dave is a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for the Public Works Department in Grafton, WI.

The planting unit is readied for work at the farm of Gene and Geri Andersen in Dagmar, MT. In May of 2010, Farm Rescue planted durum wheat for the Andersens after Geri suffered a stroke. While volunteers were at their farm, Gene and Geri suffered the tragic loss of their son Kerby, who died due to a kidney-related disease. Kerby was not just a beloved son, but also a valued partner in farming operations on the Andersen farm. Volunteers temporarily paused operations to attend Kerby's funeral.

Jack Limke operates the John Deere tractor and no-till equipment in Dagmar, MT, while seeding durum wheat for the Andersen family.

Durum wheat is seeded on the Andersen farm in Dagmar, MT, using no-till equipment.

The planting unit kicks up dust as volunteers labor into the night in Dagmar, MT.

Both the American flag and the Farm Rescue flag fly proudly over the planting unit in the field in Dagmar, MT.

Volunteers continue to work hard as dusk creeps up on the Andersen farm in Dagmar, MT.

The evening sun shines over Big Sky Country and the Andersen farm in Dagmar, MT.

This Farm Rescue caravan includes a Chevy dually truck, a field RV, and a Freightliner semi-truck. All Farm Rescue vehicles are easily identifiable, covered in sponsor logos.

Tim and Marilyn Selle, left, received assistance from Farm Rescue after Tim broke his neck in a car accident. In May of 2010, Farm Rescue volunteers planted 1,000 acres of durum wheat for the Selle family. Volunteers included Jack and Genita Limke, and their daughters, Megan and Anna (pictured at right).

Jack Limke of Bardstown, KY, manages the flow of seed into an auger at the Selle farm in Fortuna, ND.

Volunteers Jack Limke, left, Dave Sette, and Louie Rothmann discuss a game plan in the field at Fortuna, ND.

A no-till planting unit seeds durum in the Spring of 2010. Here is a view from the cab of the tractor.

Anna Limke is all smiles on the farm. Anna and her family from Bardstown, KY, have been long-time Farm Rescue volunteers.

Megan Limke rides a horse at the Selle farm in Fortuna, ND. To her left is the Farm Rescue RV, where Megan and her family spent several nights while her parents volunteered for Farm Rescue.

Work continues in Fortuna, ND, long after the sun goes to bed.

Salem Sue catches a ride from Farm Rescue and the Weaver boys of Pennsylvania! Bill, Dick and Randy Weaver have been long-time Farm Rescue volunteers... and even longer jokesters.

Farm Rescue volunteers, assisted families, board of directors and staff posed for this photo in the foyer of the Nafus Center on the campus of Jamestown College, the site of Farm Rescue's second annual banquet - Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.

The silent auction table drew much interest at the annual Farm Rescue banquet on Nov. 20, 2009. More than $4,200 was raised to benefit farm families in crisis! Thank you to all who donated or purchased items.

Farm Rescue's second annual banquet was a night to remember, especially with the presence of Dustin & Lucinda Lien and baby son Ian (at left) and Matt & Laura Biel and children Mattilyn and Drew. The Liens are the 100th farm family to be assisted by Farm Rescue, while the Biels were the first back in 2006. Matt lost his right hand in a grain auger accident and Dustin broke his pelvis in a farm equipment mishap.

David and Shirley Reiffenberger of Bellingham, MN, were one of several families that spoke at the annual Farm Rescue banquet on Nov. 20 about the assistance Farm Rescue provided them in the spring of 2009. At that time, David underwent open heart surgery.

Chuck and Pam Atyeo (left) and James and Linda Dailey traveled from Clear Lake, SD, to attend Farm Rescue's second annual banquet. The Atyeos were assisted this spring after Chuck had quadruple heart bypass surgery.

Brian Hagen, president and CEO of Bremer Banks, keynoted the second annual Farm Rescue banquet on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. Farm Rescue founder Bill Gross and the entire Farm Rescue family thanks Brian and the Bremer organization for their significant and longtime support of Farm Rescue!

Al Pergende of Stutsman Harley-Davidson announced a new fundraiser that will be launched in August. Participants in "Rolling with Farm Rescue" will have a chance to win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle!

Mark and Sharon Bracich of San Juan Outfitting left their ranch home in Pagosa Springs, CO, to attend Farm Rescue's annual banquet in Jamestown on Nov. 20. Mark spoke at the event and shared his insight and entertaining observations about the lay of the land in North Dakota.

San Juan Outfitting became a Platinum ($10,000) sponsor of Farm Rescue this year, which is pretty amazing considering the fact that our organization does not currently provide assistance to farm families in Colorado! Their generosity to "flatlanders" is an amazing gift.

These pretty ladies manned the registration desk at Farm Rescue's second annual banquet on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, in Jamestown. Thanks, Mildred and Dee!

The beautiful Nafus Center on the campus of Jamestown College was the site of Farm Rescue's second annual banquet on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.

Farm Rescue Vice President Tom Olson operates the combine at Farm Rescue's 100th case near Ypsilanti, ND.

Bill Gross accepted the Robert Feder Humanitarian Award from Temple Beth El on Nov. 7, 2009, in Fargo. Bill was selected for the award "because of his tireless efforts to help so many needy families going through difficult times." Pictured with Bill is Jan Feder, widow of Robert Feder.

Mark Helland (left) and Dennis Ellefson of Otter Tail Power Company presented a check to Pam Musland, director of operations, on Oct. 23 for the company's 2010 sponsorship of Farm Rescue. Many thanks to OtterTail for their generous support!

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. At Farm Rescue, 8-year-old Colby is our hero!

Instead of birthday gifts, this wonderful little boy asked family members to donate money to Farm Rescue. He raised $220 in his birthday donation box! Colby lives on his family's dairy farm out East. He thinks Farm Rescue is "awesome."

To that we say, "Colby, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS AWESOME!!"

Volunteers that helped harvest Gary Skarda's 2009 durum crop at Keene, ND, included Smokey Wright (standing left to right), Kent Pelton of First International Bank & Trust, Perry Sorenson and Wayne Skarda.

Arlene Olson climbed into the combine during a break in the harvest action on Sept. 17 to chat with volunteer Bill Krumwiede. Bill was part of the crew that harvested Arlene & Delbert Olson's wheat crop at Wing. Delbert is currently undergoing treatment for kidney cancer.

View from the combine on the Olson farm near Wing, ND, during Harvest 2009.

Allen St. Michel of Croplan Genetics recently presented a check for $10,000 to Bill Gross for Winfield Solutions' 2009 sponsorship of Farm Rescue. Winfield Solutions encompasses the Croplan Genetics, AgriSolutions and Answer Plots brands. Thank you so much and welcome to the Farm Rescue sponsor family!

FIRST SPONSORSHIP RENEWAL OF 2010!
Scott Dieterle of Alliance Pipeline swung by the Farm Rescue office on Sept. 8 to present a sponsorship renewal check in the amount of $5,000. Bill Gross accepted the check on behalf of Farm Rescue. Thank you, Alliance Pipeline, for your faithful support since 2007!

Farm Rescue was honored to host Joel Heitkamp's "News & Views" talk show LIVE on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, from Farm Rescue headquarters in Jamestown! The statewide talk show was broadcast on KFGO.

Board members Reuben Liechty and Bill Gross hit the open road.

Ain't she sweet?

Reeling in the bounty near Zeeland, ND.

Three by three, knee high in a wheat field at Zeeland, ND, in the fall of 2009.

Two of our silver foxes! Charlie Bartsch (left) and Smokey Wright were behind the wheel of Farm Rescue vehicles at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Orange hot-rods weren't the only spiffed up vehicles at the North Dakota State Fair Parade in Minot on Saturday, July 25.

Bill Gross and crew auger seed into the air cart at the Reiffenberger farm in western Minnesota in May of 2009.

Paul Oster of A/V Pro is Farm Rescue's videographer... willing to climb any grain bin and travel to any remote location to record all things Farm Rescue. Thanks, Paul, for all you do!

A bird's eye view of spring planting operations in Minnesota.

Farm Rescue founder Bill Gross (right) confers with Lyle Monsees on acreage to be planted at Monsees's farm near Brookings, SD, in May 2009.

Pretty ducks in a row.

Todd Sjostrom of Jamestown and Bruce Thomas of Tappen, local Pioneer seed growers, presented the company's 2009 sponsorship check in person at our office on June 22. Big smiles all around!

Gackle-Streeter High School Superintendent Norm Fries gave a $107.50 kiss to this little lamb. He was the top vote getter in the school's "Kiss the Lamb Contest" conducted by FFA students. Holding the lamb is Jordan Zenker, Gackle-Streeter FFA chapter president. FFA students raised $300 for Farm Rescue. Now that's a kiss!

The fourth annual From the Prairie to the Bunkhouse concert was held Feb. 15, 2009, in Mandan. For the second year in a row, Farm Rescue was the beneficiary of a portion of concert proceeds. LeAna Hug, concert organizer, dedicated the event to her father who lost his hand in a farm accident in 1955.

Bill Gross, Farm Rescue founder, expressed his gratitude to Walmart stores in North Dakota for their $50,000 contribution to the organization in December 2008. (Photo by John M. Steiner)

Volunteer Charlie Hardie brings in the 2008 soybean crop at Corona, SD, for a farmer injured with a shattered leg.

Harvesting in western North Dakota in 2007 - so picturesque.