Founder Bill Gross Reflects on 20 Years of Farm Rescue

More than 1,100 families facing an injury, illness, or natural disaster have received planting, harvesting, and livestock help at no charge.

- Lisa Foust Prater

When an injury, illness, or natural disaster threatens planting, harvesting, or livestock care, the future of the farm often lies in the hands of those willing to help.

For 20 years, Farm Rescue has come running to farmers in need, helping hundreds of families get through those tough times with an army of volunteers and a fleet of donated equipment. The service is completely free, and funded by donations and sponsors.

Rural Roots

Farm Rescue Founder Bill Gross grew up on a cattle and crop farm in central North Dakota. Like many farm families, his faced challenges during the 1980s, which meant Gross needed to find a path for his future other than the farm.

He trained to become a pilot and has been a Boeing 747 captain for UPS for more than 30 years, flying around the world. “But my heart never left the farming community, and I’ve always had a strong passion for the rural way of life,” he said.

He also piloted mission trips for his church, including to Croatia and Romania. “But I felt there were people right here at home that needed help,” he said. “And flying across the United States and looking down at the patchwork of farms, I always wonder how those farmers and ranchers are doing, because I know the challenges my family experienced.”

Acting on an Idea

During one long-haul flight to Australia for UPS, one of Gross’ copilots asked what he planned to do when he retired. “I said: ‘I’m going to get myself a big John Deere tractor and planter, and I’m going to go and start in my own home state of North Dakota, in the western part, and pull in early in the morning at 6 a.m. at a farm that looks like it’s having a tough time. And I would get out and say, ‘Put some fuel and seed and fertilizer in the planter, and I’ll plant a few hundred acres for you free of charge,’” he recalled.