The July winner of the Farm Strong Award from CBI Bank & Trust and WRMJ is Riley Zippe of rural Sherrard. Riley was surprised at the Mercer County Fair with a CBI Bank & Trust hat and a $100 bill.
Riley recently wrote this on a scholarship application:
“Ever since I was little I have been involved with our family farm, from toy tractors in my grandma’s garden to driving the real thing now. It is what I love. I have been in 4-H since I was 7 years old and my experience with 4-H has been a very educational journey, because without 4-H I wouldn’t know what I want to do with my life. Being involved with farming, being an officer in organizations that started because of agriculture (FFA and 4-H) have been eye-opening experiences for me and have helped me choose what to focus on for my areas of expertise.”
Riley was on-site to watch friends in 4-H sell their champions in the ring at the Mercer County 4-H Youth Livestock Auction.
He says this about his future:
“I plan to complete my associate’s degree at Black Hawk East then finish my education at Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in Agronomy, with an Ag Business minor. After college I plan on coming back home to get a job at a local seed company or ag service company, along with starting my own farming career. Then eventually I plan on farming full time because it is all I have ever wanted to do. Without farmers we would not be able to eat, and many know it is not the easiest of jobs or lifestyles, but someone has to do it.”
Riley Zippe, you are Farm Strong.
Submit a nomination for our next Farm Strong recipient by emailing farmstrong@wrmj.com