Farm Rescue Gets Largest Grant In History: $348,000

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota-based Farm Rescue organization is getting a grant of nearly $348,000 from a charitable trust established by the late hotel and real estate baroness Leona Helmsley.

The nonprofit Farm Rescue provides planting and harvesting help free of charge to farm families in five states who have experienced a major illness, injury or disaster. Officials say the grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust will be used for equipment purchases and general operations.

Farm Rescue founder and President Bill Gross says it's the largest grant the nonprofit has received since it began operations in 2006.

Farm Rescue has helped more than 200 farm families in the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa.