When a serious injury, illness or natural disaster threatens a farm family’s ability to plant, harvest or care for livestock, the future of that operation can hang in the balance. Now, farm and ranch families in Missouri will have a new safety net.
Farm Rescue announced this week (Feb. 25, 2026) it is expanding its service area into Missouri, marking the 11th state served by the organization. Harvest assistance will begin in fall 2026, with planting, haying, commodity hauling and livestock feeding support to follow. All services are provided at no cost to qualified families.
For over 20 years, Farm Rescue has been the only nonprofit organization of its kind providing farm and ranch families with the operational support they need in times of crisis. The organization’s vision is a world where family farms and ranches thrive for generations to come.
“Our mission is to provide farmers and ranchers the operational support they need so their families and legacies can continue,” said Tim Sullivan, Executive Director of Farm Rescue. “Expanding into Missouri allows us to stand alongside more families when they need it most and help keep their operations moving forward during incredibly difficult times.”
Missouri agricultural leaders are welcoming the expansion. “Farm Rescue brings critical support to farm families when they need it most,” said Casey Wasser, CEO and executive director of Missouri Soybeans. “Farming is more than an occupation — it’s a way of life, and when challenges arise, having organizations willing to step in and help can make all the difference. We are proud to support efforts that strengthen Missouri’s farm families and the communities they call home.”
Farm Rescue was founded in 2005 by North Dakota native Bill Gross, who envisioned practical, boots on the ground assistance for farm families facing unexpected hardship. Since its founding, the organization has assisted more than 1,250 farm and ranch families and contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours to ensure critical planting, harvesting and livestock care windows are not missed.
With the addition of Missouri, Farm Rescue now serves families in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Missouri’s diverse agricultural landscape, including row crops, livestock and specialty operations, makes it a natural fit for the organization’s expanding footprint.
Farm Rescue deploys experienced volunteers and modern equipment to complete essential time sensitive tasks. Volunteers work directly with each farm family to follow their specific management practices, from planting depth and seeding populations to livestock protocols, ensuring operations continue exactly as intended. This structured assistance allows families to focus on recovery without placing additional strain on neighbors or local communities.
A 2024 impact evaluation found that for every one dollar invested in Farm Rescue, more than ten dollars in direct and indirect economic value is secured for farm families and the rural communities they support.
The Missouri expansion is supported by generous donors and corporate partners, including John Deere, Anheuser-Busch through its Busch Light brand and Nutrien Ag Solutions. These partnerships provide critical equipment, service and operational support as Farm Rescue launches in the state.
Applications for assistance are currently being accepted and can be obtained at farmrescue.org or by calling 701-252-2017.
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