A nonprofit group that seeds crops for farmers in need has expanded the program to within 50 miles of any North Dakota border, except Canada.

Farm Rescue helped 10 farmers last year, said Bill Gross, an airplane pilot who founded the nonprofit group. Farm Rescue relies on donations, volunteers and corporate sponsors.

The group's board on Friday voted to extend the program to Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota, he said.

"The purpose of this expansion is to provide assistance to farmers who are residents of North Dakota, but farm across the border in a neighboring state or are residents of a neighboring state and farm in North Dakota," Gross said in a statement. "These farmers are now eligible to apply for Farm Rescue assistance."

Volunteers with the organization help farmers who are ill or injured and meet certain size and gross sales guidelines. The deadline for farmers to apply for the coming crop season is March 15.

Farm Rescue representatives will be available to answer questions at the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City on March 6-8, Gross said.

- AssociatedPress