Farm Rescue’s Operation Hay Lift has put on the miles and loads of hay since it first launched last summer.
The hay hauling assistance was launched in mid-July of 2017, when severe drought crippled feed supplies for ranchers in the western Dakotas and eastern Montana. Operation Hay Lift provides a means of hay transport to drought-stricken ranchers throughout the region, as well as those affected by injury or illness. Farm Rescue trucks and drivers were on the roads throughout the winter, hauling hay to ranchers in crisis.
Farm Rescue volunteers contributed 170,000 miles behind the wheel to Operation Hay Lift. As of today, Operation Hay Lift is responsible for transporting more than 275 loads of hay, which is the equivalent of over 8,000 round bales.
“The outpouring of support from sponsors, volunteers and hay donors has been incredible. During this marathon of operations, I witnessed Farm Rescue rise to the occasion to help ranch families in the best way they could with the resources available to them,” said Levi Wielenga, who lined up volunteers and dispatched each load. “Many volunteers served repeatedly throughout even the coldest months to keep our trucks delivering hay where it was needed most.”
“Our gratitude goes out to those who made this possible. Each volunteer, hay donor and sponsor was instrumental in creating this reality,” said Bill Gross, Founder & President, Farm Rescue. “Looking forward, we pray for sufficient moisture to provide a bountiful harvest for each farm and ranch family during these challenging economic times.”
Farm Rescue has helped nearly 550 families since its inception in 2006. The organization’s mission is to help farmers and ranchers who have experienced a major illness, injury, or natural disaster by providing the necessary equipment and manpower to plant, hay, or harvest their crop.
