Volunteers Come To Injured Farmers' Rescue

YPSILANTI, N.D. (AP) — A broken pelvis and injured knee nearly put an end to North Dakota farmer Dustin Lien's harvest, but a group that helps injured farmers and the families of those who have died came to his aid.

Farm Rescue sent volunteers to help bring in Lien's soybeans after he was crushed between a tractor and a pickup in July.

"We don't know where we'd be without them," said Lien, one of 35 family farmers helped by the group this year. "Probably with beans under snow."

Farm Rescue has come to the aid of 100 farm families in just four years — a number that surprises even its founder.

"I knew it would happen," founder and president Bill Gross said. "I just didn't think it would come this quickly. If we didn't have the volunteers and the sponsors, it wouldn't happen at all."

Farm Rescue helps plant and harvest small grains and soybeans on family farms affected by an injury or death. Volunteers are still working on two farms but expect to finish the fall harvest by mid-month. Applications for help with spring planting will be accepted from Jan. 1 to March 15.