South-central Nebraska farmers are willing to leave their own crops standing in the field to help a neighboring family facing an extraordinarily difficult stretch.
Near Bertrand, community members are organizing a harvest bee to finish about 150 acres of corn for the Hinson family, which has endured the loss of a daughter and is now facing additional medical challenges.
Dennis and Lori Hinson lost their 45-year-old daughter, Kelsey Kunkel, on Sept. 12 following a nearly seven-year battle with a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer. Kunkel was a wife and mother of two.
Now, Dennis is hospitalized in Lincoln with a serious medical condition, while Brett, another family member is also facing medical challenges.
Scott Ford of Bertrand is helping coordinate the harvest effort alongside Dr. Larry Marshall of Bertrand Veterinary Clinic. Ford said the goal is to give the family one less thing to worry about.
“We’re just kind of trying to do what we can to maybe help them out, at least get this behind them so they can concentrate on just getting better.”
Farmers step forward despite unfinished harvests
Marshall contacted Ford Tuesday morning after learning the Hinsons still had corn to harvest. The two discussed the possibility of organizing a community effort and reached out to the family.
Ford said the Hinsons were appreciative of the offer, and the response from surrounding producers has been substantial.
Volunteers have offered combines, grain carts and trucks. Others have stepped forward with monetary donations for fuel, meals and other supplies.
Lone Wolf Barbecue in Bertrand offered to prepare lunches, another community member helped sponsor the meals, and one woman delivered cookies for the volunteers.
But perhaps the most significant offers have come from farmers who haven’t finished harvesting their own crops.
“Several of these people that have reached out, they aren’t done with their own harvest yet. But it’s important enough to them to put that on the back burner and help this family out during this time of need,” Ford said. “We just want to get this harvest done and in the bin for them so they can concentrate on taking care of their family.”
Weather pushes harvest bee into next week
The harvest bee was originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, but organizers are now looking at next week.
Ford said Wednesday morning that after speaking with the family, they decided to regroup because of the weather.
The Hinsons farm directly south of Bertrand, and their corn is planted in 36-inch rows. Organizers are coordinating equipment and trucks to haul the harvested grain to the elevator in Edison.
With enough volunteers and favorable conditions, they hope to finish the remaining acreage in a single day.
How to help the Hinson family
Organizers are continuing to coordinate volunteers, machinery and donations to help cover fuel expenses.
Those interested in assisting can contact Scott Ford at 308-991-2452 or Dr. Larry Marshall at 308-991-5044.
Additional information is available through the Bertrand Veterinary Clinic Facebook page.