Neighbors Helping Neighbors
In 2005, a simple but powerful idea sprouted on the prairies of North Dakota. Bill Gross, a pilot from Cleveland, ND, wanted to find a way to help farm families during moments of crisis. He drew inspiration from the old tradition of neighbors rallying together—when a farmer fell ill or tragedy struck, dozens of combines might line up in a field, bringing in a harvest in a single day. It was community at its best, but one that was becoming harder to sustain as farms grew larger and rural populations thinned.
What Gross didn’t know at the time was that his idea would grow far beyond his hometown. Today, Farm Rescue is a multi-state nonprofit that has helped more than 1,220 families across ten states, supported by over 2,500 volunteers since its inception.
A Mission Rooted In Crisis Relief
Farm Rescue’s mission is to step in when farm and ranch families can’t. Whether it’s a cancer diagnosis, a heart attack, a broken bone, or a devastating wildfire, the organization brings in volunteers and equipment— at no cost to the family—to keep operations running.
“Most of the time, we’re protecting livelihoods while someone is recovering from illness, injury, or natural disaster,” Farm Rescue Executive Director Tim Sullivan said. “We’re not out helping the guy with six combines. We’re focused on the mid-to small-sized operators, the ones who might have a son or daughter helping but don’t have a backup plan.”
Farm Rescue caps its assistance at 1,000 acres per planting or harvest season, a substantial but manageable threshold that ensures resources stretch to as many families as possible. And they move fast. According to Sullivan, on a typical day, multiple emergency requests come in.
“This morning we had four new cases. One farmer broke his back getting off a tractor, another was rushed into surgery,” Sullivan said.
Growing Beyond The Valley
Though its roots are in Jamestown, ND, Farm Rescue now operates across a wide swath of the Midwest and Great Plains, including Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, and beyond.
“In North Dakota, everyone knows who we are. Outside of that, we’re still introducing ourselves,” Sullivan said. That challenge requires ongoing marketing, outreach, and brand recognition campaigns—efforts powered not just by goodwill but also by partnerships with major industry players like John Deere and agricultural supply companies.
The Power Of Volunteersv
Farm Rescue thrives because of its volunteers—a network of more than 300 active participants, with 250 typically deployed in a busy year.
They come not just from the Dakotas or Minnesota, but from every state in the U.S.
“We’ll have dual teams, day and night, running equipment because our schedules are so tight,” Sullivan said. “Sometimes volunteers are out there until midnight. Other times, we need people who can simply bring food, swap out drivers, or talk with families. Every role matters.”
“My dad broke his back during wheat harvest. Farm rescue was in our field two days later. We would have lost the crop without them.” – Farmer Testimonial
How Families Access Help
For families in need, the process begins with a simple online form at farmrescue.org. Under the tab “Family in Crisis,” applicants answer just a handful of questions: who they are, what happened, and what kind of help they need. From there, the Farm Rescue operations team takes over.
The vetting process is deliberate but fast, and staff request medical documentation if illness or injury is involved. Once approved, a field visit follows—mapping the land, confirming acreage, and preparing detailed notes for incoming volunteers.
The turnaround time can be stunningly quick.
“A wheat harvest request came in this morning. We vetted it, approved it, and our crews will be in that field two days later,” Sullivan said. “That’s how quickly we can pivot.”
Ways To Volunteer
Equipment Operators
Run combines, tractors, balers, or trucks.
Support Crew
Deliver food, swap out volunteers, assist on-site..
Event Help
Staff booths at shows like big iron, talk to the public.
Outreach & Advocacy
Share the mission, connect families in crisis with farm rescue.
Remote Support Communications, marketing, fundraising help.
“We don’t hand out money or do everything ourselves, but we make sure families are linked to the right provider who can guide them through longer-term recovery.” – Tim Sullivan, Farm Rescue Development Officer
Addressing Mental Health
While Farm Rescue’s mission is firmly rooted in keeping farms running, the organization increasingly finds itself on the front lines of the mental health crisis in agriculture.
“A mental health crisis may not be as visible as an arm in a sling or cast, yet it can be equally debilitating,” Field Operations Manager – Northern Plains Region Luke Benedict said. “Farm Rescue strives to ease the stress of urgent tasks—whether that means planting, harvesting, or making and hauling hay.”
To bridge this gap, Farm Rescue partners with programs like NDSU Extension, AgrAbility, and national organizations such as the Farm Foundation. These groups provide ongoing support that goes beyond Farm Rescue’s immediate scope.
“We don’t hand out money or do everything ourselves,” Sullivan said. “But we make sure families are linked to the right providers who can guide them through longer-term recovery.”
In many cases, these services are free to the family, thanks to voucher programs or state-supported initiatives. For Farm Rescue, it’s another way of honoring the spirit of “neighbor helping neighbor,” updated for today’s rural realities
“They didn’t just harvest our soybeans. They sat with us, listened, and connected us to counseling we didn’t know existed.” – Farmer Testimonial
Funding The Mission
For all its impact, Farm Rescue operates on a relatively lean budget of about $4.5 million annually. That money covers everything from fuel and equipment transport to volunteer coordination and outreach. Much of it comes from a blend of cash and in-kind partnerships with agricultural companies, as well as direct donations from individuals who believe in the mission.
Still, fundraising remains Farm Rescue’s greatest ongoing challenge. “We can’t do anything without money or partners,” Sullivan said. “Volunteers and equipment only go so far—we need the financial backing to keep them moving.”
Farm Rescue By The Numbers
Founded:
2005 In Jamestown, Nd
Families Helped:
1,220+
States Served:
10
Total Volunteers Since Founding:
2,500+
Active Volunteer Registry:
300+
Volunteers Used In A Busy Year:
250+
Annual Budget:
$4.5 Million
Acreage Cap Per Family:
1,000 Acres
Giving Hearts Day
One of the nonprofit’s biggest lifelines has been Giving Hearts Day, an annual day of giving across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota organized by Dakota Medical Foundation. Farm Rescue has participated since 2015, usually bringing in modest but meaningful donations. Then, in 2024, everything changed.
The organization secured a $500,000 matching gift and set an ambitious goal to raise $1 million in a single day. The community responded in force. By the end of Giving Hearts Day, Farm Rescue had raised $1.3 million, making it the third-highest recipient among hundreds of charities.
“It wasn’t about the ranking—it was about what that money represents,” Sullivan said. “It showed us that people believe in what we’re doing. They see the value of helping families in crisis, and they trust us to deliver.”
Giving Hearts Day Impact
First Year Participating:
2015
Breakout Success:
2024
Matching Gift:
$500,000
Goal:
$1 Million
Actual Raised:
$1.3 Million
Ranking:
#3 Charity Overall
Looking Ahead
As Farm Rescue looks toward the future, the mission to provide timely, practical help to farm and ranch families in crisis remains unchanged. But the scope continues to grow.
The organization plans to expand its presence in states where its name isn’t yet widely recognized, and recruit even more volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
At the same time, the challenges of modern agriculture loom large. Farms are bigger, equipment is more complex, and rural isolation is deeper than ever. In that landscape, Farm Rescue represents not just a safety net but a lifeline—a modern expression of the timeless principle of neighbor helping neighbor.
“Volunteering with farm rescue was the most Meaningful week of my year. It’s neighbor helping Neighbor on a whole new level.” – Volunteer Testimonial
Why It Matters
For many of the families Farm Rescue serves, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Missing a harvest or a planting season can mean the loss of a farm that has been in the family for generations. Beyond the economics, it’s about dignity, community, and survival.
“We’ve helped more than 1,200 families in 20 years,” Sullivan said. “But every single one of them reminds us why we exist. It’s about keeping people on the land, keeping hope alive, and making sure no one has to go through a crisis alone.”
“It’s about keeping people On the land, keeping hope alive, And making sure no one has to go Through a crisis alone.” – Tim Sullivan, Farm Rescue Development Officer
How To Apply For Help
- Visit farmrescue.org or scan the QR code
- Click the “Need Help” Button
- Fill out a short form (7–8 questions) with contact info and a description of your situation
- Farm Rescue staff review and verify details (medical, community references, acreage mapping).
Once approved, crews are dispatched—often within days!
farmrescue.org
Facebook | /farmrescueorg
Instagram | @farmrescue
Linkedin | /farm-rescue
