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Farm Rescue

A nonprofit organization launched in 2005, Farm Rescue plants and harvests crops free of charge for families who have suffered a serious illness, injury or natural disaster. Since its inception, Farm Rescue volunteers have helped 89 farm families in a three-state area.

For the 2009 harvest season, Farm Rescue is assisting 14 families throughout North Dakota, with one case in South Dakota. The organization is still taking applications for fall harvest. For more information or to apply for assistance, contact Farm Rescue at 252-2017.

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SAWYER - The heavy fog and morning dew Tuesday morning was not what most farmers wanted to see - especially Steve Beck, who was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Farm Rescue volunteers who came up from Zeeland to help harvest his 80-acre crop of spring wheat near Sawyer.

Beck's eldest daughter, 16-year-old Amanda, recently underwent reconstructive jaw surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis.

"Farm Rescue is here to help me catch up," Beck said, noting his canola and durum crops were also ready for harvest. "It's nice because they gave me a piece of mind to be there for my daughter and my wife. You want to be her hero, but she ended up being my hero because of how well she's handled everything. She's a trooper."

"Farm Rescue has been great," said Beck's wife Lisa. "I don't know if I would have been able to handle (her daughter's surgery) by myself."

While the Farm Rescue crew of six was on time and ready to combine, the spring wheat - at 17 percent moisture - was not.

"The dew and the high humidity in the morning have caused continual delays, it's been a battle all summer," Beck said. "It pushes up the moisture (level of the wheat) and makes the straw tough."

As the slight breeze and heat slowly dried the wheat to a suitable combining level, the all-volunteer Farm Rescue workers - all North Dakota locals - reminisced about previous Farm Rescue cases and why they continue to work tirelessly for others.

"I was at a farm show a few years ago and got to visiting with Gene (Spichke, a Farm Rescue volunteer). He started talking about Farm Rescue and I said I should join," said Charlie Bartsch. "The next day I had an application in my hand, which I filled out, and the rest is history."

A Bergen-area farmer and rancher for more than 40 years, retiree Bartsch has volunteered for the nonprofit group for the past two years.

"It's like a second childhood," he said. "We've all known each other a long time and we all have a lot of fun."

Voltaire-native Bill Krumwiede has been working with Farm Rescue since its inaugural year back in 2006.

"I just really enjoy coming out here to help," he said. "I've been able to come out as much as I'd like the last few years, but it's always fun when I do."

Quoting a friend, Kief native Warren Zakopyko described volunteering for Farm Rescue as "like peeing while wearing a wetsuit. You feel warm inside but no one on the outside can see it."

After more than three hours of waiting, the engines of the two John Deere 9860STS combines welcomed the four o'clock hour with a roar and the volunteers went to work combining, loading and transporting the spring wheat.

What would have taken Beck 2 1/2 days to complete will take the Farm Rescue crew a mere three to four hours, giving Beck time to tackle his remaining crops and help his daughter in her recovery.