David's knack for taking apart machines and putting them back together again, a pastime he admits drove his parents to exasperation, became a valuable skill on his family farm, and now leads him on a path
to becoming an engineer at UW-Stout. As David explains, as it is well known on farms that you've got to make hay when the sun shines, "It became my job to diagnose issues and fix equipment in order to keep things running smoothly." David also became quickly known as the fallback person in his community to fix vehicles and other machinery during times of need.
Meet David Thompson, one of six recipients of the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Award Program! David grew up on an 80-acre farm in Woodville, WI helping his family raise sheep, poultry, draft horses, beef cattle, and hogs. In addition to his memorable experiences on his family farm and being involved in 4-H and FFA, David
credits the many caring mentors who shared their passion for farming in helping him foster a love of agriculture. "As I look toward my future, I would like to give back to the industry that has helped shape who I am," says David who has a goal of incorporating his agricultural background with his engineering career.
David has a busy summer ahead of him. First on the list will be maintaining the tractors and farm equipment on his family farm. David says that he welcomes the challenge of keeping the "vintage era" equipment running smoothly, as it will be good practice for his future engineering degree.
As a 4-H counselor, he will mentor younger 4-H members in raising sheep. David's family raises and shows five registered breeds of sheep. His family has 180 lambs to raise this year! David has started training the lambs to lead so they will be ready for the show
ring. His family plans to show at the Great Plains Junior Breeding Sheep Show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the All-American Junior Sheep Show in Madison, Wisconsin, the St. Croix County Fair, and the Wisconsin State Fair. With multiple generations typically working together to present animals, David says that having his parents, grandparents, and siblings involved makes it a really special time for them.
David's appreciation for rural Wisconsin is truly remarkable. "From the changing of the seasons, by which I mean lambing season, weaning season, planting season, haying season, show season, breeding season, harvest season, and then back to lambing season, there is always
something happening to make you smile on our family farm. The rural way of life activates my thoughts yet gives me a sense of contentment and satisfaction that is hard to find anywhere else," says David. "Each day brings something new to make you smile in rural Wisconsin and I can't imagine calling anywhere else my home."
Please join us in congratulating David Thompson!
Special
thanks to the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Program Chair Sue Schultz and the Selection Committee.
Please stay tuned for further introductions to the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship
Award recipients.