Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides free planting, haying, harvesting, commodity hauling and also livestock feeding assistance to farm families who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster, has officially added Wisconsin to its growing list of service states. Founded in 2005, Farm Rescue has provided vital aid to over 1,100 farm families across nine states.
“We have the necessary equipment, the volunteer workforce, to come in and help during planting, harvesting, livestock feeding, or whatever it may be, to get them through that crisis and onto the next season,” said Dan Erdmann, Marketing Program Manager at Farm Rescue. “Our major goal is to allow family operations to continue for future generations.”
Farm Rescue’s journey began with planting assistance in North Dakota. It has grown significantly, both geographically and in its range of services. The expansion into Wisconsin aligns with the organization’s mission to support farm families wherever there is need.
“Early on, it was apparent that this was not an isolated need. Families across the country deal with unexpected challenges. With the resources, volunteers, and also funding available, expanding our mission has always been a major goal. Wisconsin is a great agricultural state, and we’re honored to offer our services to its farm families,” Erdmann added.
Starting July 1, Farm Rescue began offering harvest assistance in Wisconsin. They have plans to expand to full services, including planting, commodity hauling, hay baling, and also livestock feeding by 2025. The organization relies heavily on community referrals to connect with families in need.
“We have a simple application process for families, and we also rely on referrals from spouses, relatives, friends, neighbors, and community members who know of a family dealing with difficult circumstances,” Erdman explained. “Referrals can be anonymous as well. We reach out to the family to explain the process and see how we can best serve them.”
Farm Rescue’s volunteers, affectionately known as “angels in blue,” are essential to the organization’s success. They come from all over the country to support families in need, treating every acre as their own and asking for nothing in return.
“We are incredibly blessed by the support of our volunteers. They view their work as supporting their own farms, ensuring every task is done with the utmost care and dedication,” Erdmann added.
Farm Rescue’s impact is evident in the stories and testimonials from the families they have helped. Many have expressed that they wouldn’t have survived certain years without the organization’s assistance. Surveys show that over 90% of families helped by Farm Rescue remain in operation three years after receiving support.
“Every family we help has a ripple effect on their community and also the surrounding region, bolstering the local economy and maintaining the community’s fabric,” said Erdmann.
Farm Rescue urges Wisconsin residents to volunteer or offer their support. For more information about services, volunteering, as well as to refer a family in need, visit farmrescue.org.
