Farm Rescue, Iowa Nonprofit, Helps Midwestern Farmers Affected By Drought

The nonprofit Farm Rescue is working free of cost to ensure that nothing interferes with America's family-run farms amid a devastating summer drought.

According to ABC, the organization, which plants and harvests crops for farm families facing setbacks due to injury, illness, or natural disaster, has recently announced that it will expand its services to Iowa -- a state whose economy is largely dependent on agriculture.

The nonprofit has already helped almost 200 family farms in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana solely thanks to charitable donations and grants from business sponsors and individuals.

Bill Gross, founder of Farm Rescue, explains to ABC, "It's always devastating when a family member experiences an unexpected crisis like a severe injury or illness. When a farm family experiences an unexpected crisis it can be even more devastating."

This support comes amid the U.S.'s most substantial drought since December 1956, the Associated Press reports. 55 percent of the entire country experienced moderate to extreme drought in June, according to the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.

"For many farm families, their livelihood relies on getting their crops planted and harvested in a timely manner. The assistance we provide is beneficial to rural communities and people throughout the United States," Gross explains.

Keith Kreps, vice president of RDO Equipment Company, told ABC, "Supporting family farming is key in maintaining the economic health of small communities…We believe that supporting Farm Rescue is a great way to give back to rural agricultural communities."