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Farm Rescue ready to help this harvest

A volunteer with Farm Rescue says the organization stands ready to help farm families in crisis this harvest season.

John Radke says over 500 volunteers across 10 Midwestern states can assist when injury or illness threatens a farm’s future.

“You can’t make them happy when they’re hurt, but you can sure take the edge off the crisis and help them stay in business.”  He says, “Years later, we want those farms to still be running and not shut down because somebody couldn’t harvest or plant or whatever that year when they were hurt.”

While harvest is on the minds of most, Radke tells Brownfield the group assists farmers year-round.

“Farm Rescue can come in and harvest.”  He says, “We hay. We feed livestock. We plant. We do whatever you need to keep your farm going while you’re gone. We charge nothing for the families. It’s just a free service to people who desperately need help.”

Radke says referrals to FarmRescue.org are the most common way farms in need are connected with the group’s services.

Brownfield spoke with Radke at the 2025 Farm Progress Show.  

AUDIO: John Radke – Farm Rescue