December 20, 2012

Carol Ward Knox and her grandson, Andrew

 

I was born and raised in Fort Atkinson, where my family had a small dairy farm. Agriculture has always been a big part of my life, both personally and professionally.

Serving on the WROF, Inc. Board of Directors has special meaning for me, because it allows me to stay connected to the ag world, and to take an active role in fostering the vitality of this great state. I joined the Board in 2011. I also co-chair the WROF Marketing Committee.

I worked in politics for a few years after college, but most of my professional career has been working in communications for the agriculture industry. I also co-authored a book with John Rupnow about the history of agriculture in America called The Growing of America: 200 Years of U.S. Agriculture. The book was a successful fundraiser for FFA chapters across the country.

My goal as a Board member is to leverage my strong background in marketing and communications to help the WROF, Inc. enhance awareness and support of its mission.

The WROF, Inc. touches so many lives by awarding scholarships to students from rural Wisconsin communities who want to pursue careers in agriculture and other fields that keep our communities strong. My first year on the Board has been immensely rewarding. I look forward to many more years of developing new strategies to help further the growth of the organization.

Mark Clarke, general manager of the World Dairy Expo and the WROF, Inc., is the new executive director of the Alliant Energy Center. 

"I am honored the County Executive and County Board have put their trust in me to move this very important part of Dane County to the next level," Clarke said.

Gifts to the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, in honor of Mark's service, are encouraged. (Download a pledge form here.)

The WROF Board of Directors thanks Mark for his tremendous role in providing structure and leadership for the WROF, Inc. and offer our warm congratulations on his new position.

Bob Kaiser will serve as the interim General Manager and oversee the daily operations of World Dairy Expo as well as WDE Management, which provides management services to the Dane County Fair, North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, and the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association.

Kaiser joins the World Dairy Expo team with a wealth of experience. Having recently retired in January 2012 as UW Extension Dairy Management Specialist and Dodge County Dairy Agent, Kaiser has more than 32 years of experience working with dairy producers, industry and educational partners.

"I am honored to accept this new responsibility. Staff members are dedicated and truly function as a team. All of us at WDE consider it a privilege to represent the various boards with which we work," Kaiser commented. 

by Carol Ehlinger, WROF scholarship recipient

Scholarship money from the WROF, Inc. helped Ehlinger (center) pay for college.

 

I grew up on a 38-acre hobby/dairy farm. We raised a few pigs and chickens, and milked a few cows. My father died in a work accident before I was born, so my mom raised my three siblings and me as a single parent.

As a child I was active in 4-H and exhibited projects at the fair, which helped to instill confidence in me, and helped me cultivate a passion for learning.

I graduated from high school in 1978 and went to UW-Marinette for my first few years of college. I later transferred to UW-Stevens Point, where I earned a bachelor's degree in home economics, now known as family and consumer education.

It was while attending UW-Stevens Point that I received the WROF, Inc. scholarship, which was truly a blessing to me because money was so tight. Together with the scholarship, a combination of loans and grants helped me finance my higher education.

After graduation I got a job teaching in Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation. I worked there for two years, and then decided to go back to school to earn my elementary education degree from UW-Green Bay. Once certified, I taught at Lena Public School for 8 years while I went to school part-time to earn my master's degree as a reading specialist.

Since 2004 I have been teaching at Coleman High School. I live with my husband and three stepchildren on the same 38-acre farm where I grew up. My dear mother passed away in 2007.

We have 20 chickens and hope to get some small livestock soon. It's not a large place, but we always have a garden, some apple trees and we got our first peaches from our peach tree last summer.

Scholarships are such a blessing to those in need. I can't thank you enough. The WROF, Inc. helped to give me the opportunity to better myself, and to inspire others.

---

Last Friday, my husband Ken, son RJ, RJ's girlfriend Caitlin, and I experienced "A Christmas Carol" and our son David's strong singing contribution.

In 1843, when author Charles Dickens' popularity was at a low and he was facing bankruptcy, he feverishly wrote this small book, and using his meager savings, self-published. It was an immediate sensation. 

We all know Scrooge's "Bah, humbug!" and about his dramatic change of heart after being visited by three ghosts. But did you know that Dickens grew up in poverty? Despite his disadvantages, Dickens educated himself, worked diligently, and rose to international prominence as a master storyteller.

Dickens was a great believer in self-determination and the transformative power of education. His small book continues to stir us to remember the plight of the less fortunate and that it is never too late to change, to free ourselves from limiting mindsets and victimhood. With spirits high, we were reminded of the benefits of friendship, charity, and celebration! 

Many of the values demonstrated by Charles Dickens, we see in our WROF recipients. And, like Dickens, we believe in the transformative power of education.

The WROF Board of Directors has diligently managed the endowment to maximize earnings, and Board members personally contribute to help stretch the number of awards we are able to provide. This year the Board has announced over $100,000 in awards allocated to benefit more than 20 educational institutions and programs throughout Wisconsin.

Please give now, whether it's $50 or $500, to change the life of a young rural man or woman who is determined to make a positive difference on their farm, in rural industry and raise a family in rural Wisconsin. Help us lighten the load of student loans, juggling work and academics and reap the joy of our generosity. There is no better gift than to be able to give. Click here to download a pledge form.

The WROF, Inc. also has generous matching gift options available to individuals, organizations or companies who wish to permanently name a scholarship for a company or loved one. Just give me a call at 608-772-6777 or send an email to [email protected] to learn more. Thank you for your support and partnership as together we foster the vitality of rural Wisconsin.

My very best wishes to you all for a joyous holiday season filled with grace and gratitude!