Operation Hay Lift
When Farm Rescue saw the devastating flooding in Nebraska and Iowa, they launched an effort to deliv- er donated hay to ranchers in flood-stricken Nebraska and Iowa, resurrecting a program first used nearly two years ago to help cattle producers facing drought conditions in the Upper Midwest. The North Dako- ta-based nonprofit put out a call for volunteer drivers and donations of hay and money for what it called “Operation Hay Lift” to help ranchers dealing with widespread flooding.
Farm Rescue provides free physical labor for farmers and ranchers dealing with an injury, illness or a natural disaster in six Plains states — North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Montana. The nonprofit’s services include crop planting and harvesting, haying and livestock feeding. It has helped nearly 600 farm families since starting in 2006 and relies on volunteers from around the country, donations and corporate sponsors.
This article from the Associated Press highlights two of the many volunteers donating their time and energy to support Nebraska and Iowa farmers and ranchers…
“Many teenagers would spend spring break catching up on sleep or spending time with friends. However, 17-year-old Kylie Bos is spending it with her father, Jamie Bos, as the Michigan resi- dents haul hay bales to various parts of flood-devastated areas of Nebraska.
Jamie Bos has performed previous runs for Farm Rescue. For Kylie Bos, it’s a first-time experience. She was intrigued by her father’s commitment to help others. She also liked the idea of spending quality time with him. “He made it sound fun,” Kylie Bos said. “I help him by making sure the hay is strapped tight to the semi.”
Jamie Bos sees his mission as helping those in need. “These producers have lost their machinery, livestock and buildings because of flooding,” he said. So far, he has hauled hay from seven states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska. The names of the donor states are visible on signs and bales of hay.
Over the course of a week, the Boses have logged hundreds of miles, starting with their initial 12- hour trek from Michigan to North Dakota to pick up the first shipment of hay. They trucked it to Nebraska and have remained in the Cornhusker State for daily hauls of hay to hard-hit areas.
“We’ve gone to places like Hemingford and Fullerton,” Jamie Bos said. “At first, we were driving 700 miles a day. Now, we’re making shorter trips and are probably traveling 300 miles a day.”
Kylie Bos believes she has received rewards from the hay recipients far in excess of what the Boses have provided. “The people are so friendly. If we stop to check our hay load, people ask if something is wrong,” she said. “And when we drop off the hay, the people are so appreciative of what we’re doing.”
Interested in volunteering as a CDL driver? Call 701.252.2017 or visit
FarmRescue.org. Source: Farm Rescue
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