Long-time Gloucester natives often brag to others about how the people in this community stand ready to help one another out in times of need. This story is no different.

When a local farmer had a sudden medical condition arise last week, his fellow farmers banded together, in some cases temporarily putting their own work aside, to ready his land for the winter season.

Ray Rilee, who farms land in Gloucester and surrounding counties, suffered a stroke last Thursday. He still had about 150 acres of beans left to harvest. Another local farmer, Jimmy Blake, almost immediately started receiving phone calls from others wanting to help.

"From the time everyone heard Ray was in the hospital, the phone started ringing off the hook," said Blake’s wife, Beth. "With all of those people, we figured they could spread out and get it all done quickly, at least if nothing breaks down and the weather holds up."

Blake quickly organized the group, which consisted of ov...