BOWBELLS - On the evening of Aug. 12, Bowbells area farmer Dennis Bauer had very little time to scramble into the basement of his home before a strong tornado destroyed his property. Bauer escaped injury and was helped from the rubble by first responders.
On Monday, Farm Rescue responded to the Bauer farmstead, providing welcome assistance with cleanup and harvest.
"I'm not used to this kind of publicity but I'll take the help, never turn it away," said Bauer, while watching a large gathering of volunteers in what used to be a farmyard.
The tornado ripped away grain bins, a shop, a cold storage building, two barns, a double garage and most of his home. Three of his vehicles and every piece of farm and yard equipment was tossed and mangled in the storm. Only one vehicle, Bauer's favorite pickup, was deemed repairable.
"Insurance totalled a lot of equipment out, but it sounds like that will go okay," said Bauer. "Everybody says it'll take quite a while to get back to normal and I'm starting to believe them. Farm Rescue pulled in Friday afternoon. We had a good afternoon (of harvesting) but got shut down that night by rain and haven't done anything since."
Despite wet conditions, all the peas planted by Bauer have been harvested and some of his spring wheat. Farm Rescue volunteers were keeping a close watch on the rainy conditions Monday, eager to get into the fields and finish the job. Farm Rescue is a volunteer organization funded through donations and business sponsorships.
"Basically we operate off good will," said Pam Musland, Jamestown, director of operations. "We've got only two paid staff employees. We're out cleaning wheat fields now. There's metal and, you name it, it's out there now."
Among the businesses assisting in the Farm Rescue effort at Bauer's farm Monday were Wal-Mart of Minot and Bottineau, Sun Prairie Grain and Ryan Chevrolet. Wal-Mart furnished food for the volunteers and help. Sun Prairie Grain brought several workers and a large outdoor grill to handle the cooking. At the heart of it all, though, was the volunteers who consisted primarily of retired farmers.
"I farmed all my life, and now I'm retired. It's time to help other people in need and I've got the time to do it now. That's why I'm here," explained Charlie Bartsch, of Minot.
"This is actually the third farm we've been at where a tornado had damaged a farm and this is, by far, the worst," added fellow Farm Rescue volunteer Gene Spichke, of Kief. "Anything you can do to help makes it worthwhile."
Many of the volunteers pitched in to pick up debris large and small that was scattered throughout the area of the Bauer farmstead. Some, like Seth Perdew of Berthold, made it a family affair.
"My wife and two kids are with me today," said Perdew, a Minot Wal-Mart employee. "Wal-Mart is a big supporter of Farm Rescue and we take our commitment to the community very serious. We're happy to help out whenever we can. The Bottineau store has people here too."
Farm Rescue founder Bill Gross joined Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, to briefly address the gathering. Under ominous skies that threatened rain, Conrad thanked Gross and Farm Rescue for their efforts.
In a written statement, Conrad said, "The heroes at Farm Rescue have pitched in and helped Mr. Bauer to get back on his feet. The work they are doing to help producers in North Dakota, and across the nation, deserves our full support."
Bauer was being offered support on several fronts. One big issue for him was where to put his crop after harvest. All of his grain bins were leveled in the storm, some tossed nearly a mile from his farmyard.
"Sun Prairie saved me some room to bring it right into the elevator. That'll help me out quite a bit," said Bauer. "Some neighbors say they'll let me use some storage. If room is available, I'll use it."
Late Monday morning, Warren Zekopyko, of Kief, a four-year veteran volunteer of Farm Rescue, was surveying the damage that was inflicted by the tornado. He was particularly struck by the twisted and damaged machinery.
"This is the most damage I've ever seen. It's unreal that the wind could do stuff like this," said Zekopyko.
The National Weather Service estimated the wind speed in the tornado reached 165 miles per hour.
"I enjoy helping in a situation like this," said Zekopyko. "It's a nice, warm feeling to help the people that need the help. It's rewarding and you get to meet some wonderful people."
On Monday, Bauer got to meet some wonderful people too Farm Rescue volunteers.
