Retired Farmer Volunteers to Assist Families in Crisis
Carl Benck aids agricultural families across the Midwest through the nonprofit organization Farm Rescue.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Agriculture
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Since beginning his volunteer work in 2023, retired Wisconsin farmer Carl Benck has assisted families facing medical or natural disasters. He is one of many volunteers supporting the mission of Farm Rescue, which has aided 1,300 families since 2006.
Why it matters
The program allows farmers experiencing unexpected illness or injury to focus on recovery while volunteers handle essential planting and harvesting operations. This intervention helps maintain operations that might otherwise face total disruption during a crisis.
Farm Rescue has provided support to 1,300 families across 11 states since its founding in 2006. Volunteer Carl Benck recently completed a project planting 600 acres of soybeans in Iowa after retiring from his own 1,600-acre farm operation.
The players
Carl Benck
He is a retired farmer who spent 40 years in the industry before joining Farm Rescue as a volunteer.
Bill Gross
He is the founder of the Farm Rescue organization, having started the nonprofit over 20 years ago.
Farm Rescue
This nonprofit organization provides machinery and labor to farming families experiencing medical emergencies or natural disasters.
The details
Volunteers like Benck are matched to families in need based on their specific experience with heavy farm equipment. Farm Rescue coordinates these efforts by working with local equipment dealers to identify farmers who require help with labor-intensive tasks.
Timeline
2006: The Farm Rescue organization officially began operations.
2021: Carl Benck completed his final harvest as a full-time farmer.
2023: Carl Benck began his tenure as a volunteer for Farm Rescue.
Market Landscape
The reliance on volunteer-driven labor models represents a specialized niche in the agricultural sector that bridges gaps where commercial services are unavailable. This approach distinguishes the organization from traditional contract-labor farming businesses by focusing on crisis response rather than market profit.
For farmers, this nonprofit service provides a critical safety net that can prevent the total loss of a harvest during family emergencies. Families seeking assistance can utilize the support network to ensure their operations continue during periods of physical or financial recovery.
The takeaway
Volunteering remains a vital component of resilience within the agricultural community. Those interested in supporting these efforts or requiring assistance can connect through specialized nonprofit networks.
Further reading
For more information on the agricultural industry, visit the Agriculture section.
More information
To learn more about receiving help, visit the Farm Rescue assistance application portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
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Should non-profits prioritize providing specialized volunteer labor for family-owned businesses in crisis?
