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UPS Pilot Rescues Debilitated Farmers

Posted: 2008-06-30 19:26:42

ELLENDALE, N.D. (June 30) - After surviving a near-fatal accident, Richard Olson recalls the doctor telling him, "You may never walk again."

The Ellendale, N.D., farmer had gotten caught in the power takeoff shaft of his farming equipment, and his injuries left him unable to plant his 2,500 acres of soybeans and corn. The accident might have meant the end of his family's farm.

Enter Bill Gross and Farm Rescue. Since 2006, the successful UPS pilot has been, in his "spare" time, providing a helping hand and a hearty dose of hope for American family farmers like Olson.

Pilot Returns to Roots

CNN

In 2006, Bill Gross, a successful 747 pilot for parcel delivery service UPS, set out to give back to family farms like the one where he was raised. Gross established Farm Rescue, a volunteer-run nonprofit that assists farmers recovering from a major illness, injury or natural disaster, any of which could end a farmer's livelihood. From CNN.com: See the Video

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Through his nonprofit, Gross, 41, and volunteers assist farmers who have suffered a major illness, injury or natural disaster. Today, any of those crises can put an end to a farmer's livelihood.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of farms in America has decreased by 67 percent since 1910. Raised on a family farm in North Dakota, Gross says farms have changed since his childhood.

"Years ago, when there was an accident or an injury, neighbors would usually come and help each other," recalls Gross. "Nowadays, there are fewer family farms and fewer children on those farms, and it's just not as easy for neighbors to help one another anymore."

Farm Rescue's goal is to keep farmers afloat by helping with the farm labor through the planting and harvesting seasons.

Feed

"We don't give out money to farmers, this is not a handout or a bailout for any farm family," says Gross. "It's just to help them through the year so they can continue."

Olson says he doesn't know what he would have done without Farm Rescue's help.

"I told my wife at the time we probably would have had to rent the land or something. No doubt we would have not been able to do it ourselves," said Olson.

Olson had sent an application to Farm Rescue and heard from Gross in less than two weeks. Olson's request was granted, and today he is waiting to harvest the 2,500 acres of soybeans and corn.

Since 2006, Farm Rescue has helped 59 farmers like Olson keep their land. And Gross plans to help many more.

"By the end of the year, I feel fairly confident that the total family farms assisted since we started will be 63," says Gross. "And our goal for 2009 is to reach a total of 100 farm families."

Olson says that Farm Rescue's work supports the spirit of the American farmer.

"We're all proud of what we do. We're all proud of the independence that we have. And we want to do our own thing, but we can't always do our own thing," says Olson. "They ask nothing of us; it's done for us. And Bill goes to another farmer that needs help -- and it's amazing."

Gross says he has put in $20,000 of his own money and 5,000 hours or more of volunteer time into Farm Rescue. To him, it's all worth it.

"One day I'm up flying a Boeing 747 and the next day I'm down here working in the land helping these family farmers in rural America," says Gross. "It's quite a difference but it brings me a lot of joy to see these families that need the help.

"Most of our cases are success stories where we help the family out and the next year they're able to do it on their own."

2008-06-30 10:57:09

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194 comments

Unndunn 07:24:21 AM Jul 01 2008

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what an amazing man. I wish there were more people like him.

rbarnhart1 02:30:30 AM Jul 01 2008

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Bill Gross is an example of the farmers I knew growing up on a farm in Ohio. I wish all Americans could work together as farmers do. Thank you for calling attention to Farm Rescue.

Vixen4143 02:17:07 AM Jul 01 2008

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Wow, what a nice guy he is for doing that! Wish there were more people like him :)

SuzyQ807 11:07:20 PM Jun 30 2008

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Kudos to Farm Rescue!

Covthompson 10:36:58 PM Jun 30 2008

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Where do I sign up !!!

Richardmckinnie 10:27:24 PM Jun 30 2008

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Now this is an American news worthy story, where is Shawn Penn and the other liberal hollywood fanatics when you need support for a worthy cause? It's needed people like this that this country was and is based on, not the do gooders that want nothing more than 15 minutes of a spot light. Hopefully all of us will learn from this individual and his AMERICAN SPIRIT to help other deserving Americans in a challenging time.

BBASS999 10:05:03 PM Jun 30 2008

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Now theres an example of good old American spirt, this guy should be on the cover of Life Magazine. No one seems to think about the farmers much. God Bless America and I am dam proud to say it!!!!