On The Farm: Farm Rescue Saves The Day | Video

Rene Thibault | 8/8/2012

While farming has evolved throughout the years, it is still many times a family affair. But when a family member is unable to help with chores, work or harvesting, it makes it difficult to get the job done. One North Dakota family had to endure a tough situation, but got a big helping hand.

The Duchsherer family has more than 300 acres of wheat to harvest. A task that normally takes several days to complete, even with help from the entire family.

Today, they`re facing a challenge that`s bigger than their usual situation.

On June 29, the Duchsherer’s 16 year old daughter Laura was hit by a truck and was critically injured. The family spent weeks by her side while she was in the hospital.

Laura is now home recovering and feeling better. She is now on crutches, nursing a recovering leg, but the family’s farm work still has to be done.

“I was just like what are they going to do, I mean it`s going to be so stressful on everybody, and then we got the phone call saying this could possibly happen, it was such a relief for me," she said.

That call was from Farm Rescue. An organization launched in 2005 that helps farm families in need. Farm Rescue was started by Bill Gross, a native North Dakotan, who grew up in a farming family. His dream was to buy a tractor to help farmers plant their crops.

The organization’s goals may have changed slightly, but they stay true to his dream. Warren Zakopyko, a current Farm Rescue volunteer says the work they do is always appreciated, “Well it`s to help farmers keep farming when they`ve got health problems or accidents or something like that. They want to keep farming, we help them put in their crops or take it off, whatever the case may be."

And for a family that needed some help, the Farm Rescue organization was just the answer according to head of the family Ralph Duchsherer, “Everything here is set way back, and without Farm Rescue we would never get our crops harvested this year. They came with one combine and the truck and lots of man power and we can get ‘er done”.

Farm Rescue know that farming and family go hand in hand. They’ve helped over 200 different farm families, and are looking to continue their work.

Farm Rescue wants you to know that if you know of a family in need of assistance, or are looking for help yourselves, visit FarmRescue.org or call them at (888)-726-7597.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO MINOT STORIES