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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The Farm Rescue nonprofit in the Upper Midwest is approaching another milestone. The volunteer organization based in Jamestown, North Dakota will help its 300th farm family in the region by the end of the year.

Farm Rescue plants and harvests crops for farmers in need in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and eastern Montana. It’s been operating since 2006, supported by donations, business sponsors and about 1,000 people who volunteer to help with fieldwork in the spring, summer and fall. It helped its 100th farm family in 2009 and its 200th in 2012.

Founder Bill Gross says if Farm Rescue can increase funding, it hopes to expand assistance in a year or two. The organization currently is helping about 50 farm families each year, on an annual cash budget of about $450,000.

This year, Farm Rescue gears up for their eighth harvest season. The non-profit organization is supported primarily by business sponsors, personal donations and grants from foundations.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is currently matching new donations to Farm Rescue 2-for-1. RDO Equipment Company sponsors field equipment. Farm Rescue is on schedule to help more than 50 families this year.

Farm Rescue founder Bill Gross started the non-profit organization in 2006, based in Jamestown, North Dakota.