Pictured from left to right: WROF, Inc. Board Member Jerry Gaska, DVM; the WROF, Inc. 2026 scholarship recipients: Danielle Ware-Dreier, Brillion, Wis.; Reagan Kime, Fitchburg, Wis.; Matthew Fischer, Owen, Wis.; Jared Manske, New London, Wis.; and Kaylee Ferfecki, Cecil, Wis.; and WROF, Inc. Board President Joan Behr

You know that feeling when spring is just around the corner?

That same sense of anticipation comes every March when dairy farmers and professionals from Wisconsin, and around the world, gather for the Professional Dairy Producers’ Cornerstone Dairy Academy. Participants come together for world-class instruction in a three-pillar leadership development program designed to strengthen the future of the dairy industry.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, WROF, Inc. has offered five scholarships to the Cornerstone Dairy Academy each year since 2020.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Danielle Ware-Dreier, Brillion, Wis.;
Reagan Kime, Fitchburg, Wis.;
Matthew Fischer, Owen, Wis.;
Jared Manske, New London, Wis.;
Kaylee Ferfecki, Cecil, Wis.

All five recipients grew up on dairy farms, and several continue to assist with operations on their family farms.

“I’m always impressed with the number of people who have committed to all three leadership pillars and graduated from the program,” says WROF, Inc. Board Member Jerry Gaska, DVM. “Their dedication to developing their communication and leadership skills is remarkable.” Jerry also says that it is encouraging to see a wide and varied range of students, including recent school graduates, Hispanic leaders, and experienced individuals, strengthening their skills.

Your support helps make opportunities like this blossom every year.

Together, we can continue opening doors for the next generation of rural leaders and strengthen the future of Wisconsin’s dairy communities.

Make a gift today to invest in tomorrow’s dairy leaders.

With gratitude,

Marcy Heim, Executive Director

(608) 772-6777 | marcy@marcyheim.com

Angela Zwald, WROF, Inc. Board Member

Dear Friend,

We can’t wait to introduce you to one of our newest board members, Angela Zwald!

Angela grew up on a registered Holstein dairy farm in Manitowoc County that has been owned by her family since 1867. She earned a double major in Dairy Science and Agricultural and Applied Economics at UW-Madison, and then a Master’s degree in Dairy Science. She went on to earn an MBA, which she applies to her professional, personal, and volunteer responsibilities.

For more than 20 years, Angela has worked for Zoetis as a Senior Territory Business Manager in the Cattle Division. Angela is also a Certified DiSC Facilitator. She says that she enjoys helping people learn more about their own and others’ behavioral styles to build stronger relationships. Angela has held various leadership roles for St. Katharine Drexel Church and School.

Angela, her husband, and children currently live on a farm where they raise beef cattle and sheep.

“I believe strongly in WROF, Inc.’s mission of supporting education for our youth, who will be our leaders of tomorrow and help build rural communities in Wisconsin,” says Angela. “As a board member, I look forward to bringing my agricultural roots and professional experience to help invest in the future of rural Wisconsin.”

With gratitude,

Marcy Heim, Executive Director

(608) 772-6777 | marcy@marcyheim.com

P.S. Stay tuned to meet our new board member, Sara Grunwaldt, in an upcoming e-newsletter.

Dear Friend,

We have a favor to ask you.

Do you know a high school senior from rural Wisconsin who is looking to pursue post-secondary education in Wisconsin?

If so, please let them know that applications for the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Program are now open!

This year, the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Program will award seven $3,000 scholarships to outstanding high school students from rural Wisconsin. These awards help cover tuition and other educational expenses for post-secondary education in Wisconsin.

“Our goal of the Premier Award Program is to support high school students from rural Wisconsin in pursuing their academic goals,” says Susan Schultz, WROF, Inc. Board Member and Chair of the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Awards Program. “We look forward to honoring rural Wisconsin’s brightest scholars—young people whose future achievements will strengthen and sustain our rural communities.”

To be eligible, applicants must:

– Have lived in rural Wisconsin for at least two years

– Currently attend school in Wisconsin

– Demonstrate financial need

– Plan to return to their rural roots after graduation

Applications are accepted online until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026 .

Please visit www.wrof.org to learn about WROF, Inc. and to access the Premier Scholarship application.

With gratitude,

Marcy Heim, Executive Director

(608) 772-6777 | marcy@marcyheim.com

Pictured from left to right: Chair of the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Awards Program, Susan Schultz; Rural Mutual Insurance Director of Sales, Graig Beckstrand, and Rural Mutual Insurance Director of Marketing, Jenny Martin

Thanks to a new partnership, even more bright scholars from rural Wisconsin will see their academic goals take flight.

Recently, at an annual sales conference in Appleton, local Rural Mutual Insurance agents raised funds to provide two additional WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Awards! This means SEVEN remarkable high school students from rural Wisconsin will receive WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Awards next year – the largest number yet!

“This is a cause our agents across Wisconsin wholeheartedly rallied behind,” said Jenny Martin, Rural Mutual Insurance Director of Marketing. “Each year at our sales conference, funds are raised through raffle ticket sales, with proceeds donated to a different Wisconsin charity. The collective commitment and generosity of our agents resulted in the most successful fundraising effort we’ve ever achieved.”

Jenny is a past WROF, Inc. scholarship recipient and knows firsthand how much support a scholarship can bring to a student, both financially and morale-boosting.

Rural Mutual Insurance’s mission to keep Wisconsin strong aligns perfectly with the WROF. Inc.’s mission to foster rural vitality in Wisconsin. Both share a deep belief in supporting those who plan to live, work, and give back to our state’s rural communities.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see partners like Rural Mutual step up for rural students,” said Sue Schultz, Chair of the WROF, Inc. Premier Scholarship Awards Program. “Their generosity not only opens doors for these young people but also strengthens the future of rural Wisconsin.”

With gratitude to Rural Mutual Insurance and to you, our caring community, the dreams of seven high school seniors from rural Wisconsin will be even brighter than ever next year.

With appreciation and joy,

Please meet one of our newly elected board members, Michele Demmin, MSN, RN, NPD-BC ! For the first time in a long time, a professional nurse is part of the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF), Inc. Board – and we couldn’t be more excited!

Michele is the System Director of Professional Development, Nursing Education, and Programs at Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois. She works closely with high school and college students across Wisconsin, helping them pursue careers in healthcare. Her close connection to students and passion for professional growth bring incredible insight to her new role with us.

Michele always knew she wanted to be a nurse, inspired by her mother’s love for the profession. Says Michele, “Nursing is a field where you can start anywhere, and it can take you in lots of directions.” For Michele, her start was one semester at UW-Stevens Point, where she decided college life was not for her. Instead, she completed a two-year associate nursing program at Nicolet College, launching a 23-year career at Mercyhealth in Janesville, WI. Along the way, Michele earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing and discovered her true calling: helping nurses grow in education and professional development.

Michele resides in Evansville, WI, with her husband and son. Together, they own and operate 23 Farms, a family endeavor growing a variety of crops, including vegetables, corn, wheat, and soybeans.

As a WROF, Inc. Board Member, Michele is excited to help provide financial resources to rural Wisconsin students who might not otherwise have the chance to pursue their dreams. “I’m honored to be chosen for this board who helps create an impact for our future healthcare and agricultural workers,” she says.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Michele Demmin!

With gratitude,