A one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization, Farm Rescue provides assistance to farmers and ranchers who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster that may threaten their livelihoods and legacies. 

Since 2005, Farm Rescue has helped nearly 1,200 Midwestern families by providing the necessary equipment and volunteer workforce to plant, hay, harvest or haul their crops during critical times of the crop production season. The organization also provides livestock feeding assistance. Farm Rescue offers this aid to producers for free, thanks to generous donations and partner support. 

“When I started Farm Rescue 20 years ago, I had enormous faith that others would join my mission to help farm and ranch families in times of crisis,” said Bill Gross, Farm Rescue founder and president, in a press release. “My faith has been confirmed time and again by the willingness of strangers to lend a hand through their tireless volunteerism, generous financial support, and passionate advocacy. Every day for the last two decades, I have seen the good samaritan parable brought to life by the blessings of thousands.”

Headquartered in Horace, North Dakota, Farm Rescue currently serves producers in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota. In past years, it has also offered emergency hay deliveries to several states, including Oklahoma and Texas. 

Farm Rescue relies on referrals from family members, friends and neighbors who know when a family is struggling during a time of crisis. Referrals can be anonymous.

For more information, visit Farm Rescue's website. Families needing assistance can apply online. If you know of a family needing assistance, please call 701-252-2017 or send an email.