The Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF), Inc. is honored to invest in the future of rural Wisconsin. They do so through their Premier Scholarship Awards Program.
The WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Awards Program provides high school seniors with $3,000 each for post-secondary educational expenses. Key in the selection process is the student’s intent to return to rural Wisconsin upon graduation to help sustain its vitality. Over 230 applications were reviewed through an independent selection process conducted by volunteer judges with no affiliation to the applicants or the program administration.
2026 WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Award recipients
Lillian Harmon of Dallas, WI, will begin her journey to becoming an Emergency Room physician at Viterbo University. Being involved in her agricultural community and her grandfather’s farm, Lillian has witnessed the limited access to healthcare in rural communities. She recognizes the tendency for agricultural workers to delay seeking medical care. She has noticed this behavior despite their occupation that requiring long hours of physically demanding work in often dangerous environments. “By becoming a physician,” says Lillian, “I hope to serve rural and agricultural communities like the ones I grew up in.” Lillian’s award was made possible through a gift from Rural Mutual Insurance Company to the Premier Scholars Program.
Carson Klumb of Marshfield, WI, looks forward to earning a degree in Conservation Law Enforcement at UW-Stevens Point. “I am passionate about protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources so that future generations can experience the same opportunities I have had to hunt, explore, and enjoy the outdoors,” says Carson. “This career represents service, leadership, and stewardship – values that are important to me.”
Addison McCracken of Bloomer, WI, will major in Animal Science-Equine on a pre-veterinary track at UW-River Falls. Growing up in a small rural community, Addison says that she has witnessed the impact of the ongoing veterinary shortage. “I have seen small farms struggle to access timely veterinary services and, in some cases, close due to a lack of support,” says Addison. “The experiences have solidified my dream to return to a rural community as a large animal veterinarian and provide reliable, unmatched care to the agricultural families who helped build me.”
Recipients Continued
Madeline Maas of Iron Ridge, WI, plans to become a large animal veterinarian and serve farmers in rural areas. Madeline raises Boer goats and hopes to deepen her involvement with them by helping young people raise Boer goats and show them at county fairs, just as she had done. Madeline also hopes to become a Dodge County Goat Project Leader and a member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.
Storm Marshall-Buss of Mineral Point, will earn a degree in Agribusiness at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. She will do so while operating her family’s farm. Additionally, Storm is excited to learn innovative growing techniques and sustainable practices. She says the practices will help her contribute to the future of agriculture. “By working with small farms, I hope to ensure that they will continue to thrive in an evolving industry,” says Storm. Storm was designated as one of this year’s Rural Mutual Insurance Company Premier Scholars.
Ella Ranes of Marshfield, WI, plans to return to Marshfield once she has earned her degree in veterinary medicine. Ella says that she wants to serve the farm animal populations surrounding Marshfield. There is a focus on dairy production. Ella hopes to assist farmers living more than two hours from Marshfield with immediate veterinary care for their large animals.
Emily Zemke of Clayton, WI, hopes to own a veterinary clinic after graduation. She will head to UW-River Falls this fall to pursue a double major in Agribusiness and pre-veterinary medicine. Says Emily, “I want to know that I did everything possible to help save an animal, or in the worst-case scenario, have the least amount of suffering. Trying to stay ahead of preventable issues through education, vaccines, and proper guidance is my goal with all my future clients.”
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