Farm Athletes was originally launched as a platform aimed at connecting college athletes from agricultural backgrounds with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities but has evolved into a nonprofit providing scholarships for the hardworking “farm kid” athletes.
What started in 2024 as an NIL initiative by Tractor Tuesday CEO Zach Bosle has now grown into a mission to address a significant gap in financial aid. While many student-athletes from farming families appear financially stable on paper due to land and equipment assets, Bosle said they often face limited cash flow for college tuition. As a result, they may be ineligible for traditional scholarships and financial aid, forcing them to take on extra work during school or even forgo higher education, he said.
“Growing up on a sixth-generation farm in Hastings, Nebraska, I’ve seen firsthand how farm families pour everything into their land—it’s their livelihood, not a piggy bank,” said Bosle. “These kids are tough, resilient, and deserve a shot at college without the burden of scraping by. We started with NIL to give them a boost, but scholarships are the real game-changer. We’re here to make sure farm kids aren’t forgotten.”
Farm Athletes’ nonprofit status now allows it to provide direct financial relief through scholarships, ensuring the student-athletes can focus on their education and sports without additional financial strain. Managing Director Troy Stickels, who also serves as CEO of the Hastings YMCA, emphasized the importance of leveling the playing field.
“These student-athletes are juggling practice, classes, and, too often, jobs just to keep up,” Stickels said. “That’s not fair to kids who’ve already proven they can handle the toughest challenges. Farm Athletes is stepping up to change that, and we need donors and corporate sponsors who see the value in investing in their futures—on the farm and on the athletic field.”
Farm Athletes is now calling on individuals, businesses, and corporations with a passion for agriculture and athletics to help fund scholarships.
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