Seeds of Greatness

Members of the Renk family with students at a scholarship luncheon. Eric Dieckman

For nearly 30 years, the family behind the Renk Seed Company in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, has supported UW–Madison agriculture students. The Renk Agribusiness Institute, housed in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), was established in 1996 through an endowed gift from Walter and Martha Renk and Richard and Sharon Renk. The institute has managed agribusiness education, research, and outreach at CALS and the Division of Extension.

In 2013, the same gift created the Renk Scholarship for students interested in agriculture or agribusiness. In addition to receiving financial support, students are connected to an expansive network of top internships. Over the last 11 years, the institute has awarded $520,000 to CALS undergraduates. Renk Scholars receive $2,000 for tuition assistance, which is a game changer for many agriculture-minded Badgers.

“I am delighted and immensely grateful to have been chosen for the Renk Scholarship,” said Zirui Zhou ’23. “This is not only the first scholarship I have been awarded, but it is also an incredible honor. It’s fulfilling to have my academic achievements and career aspirations acknowledged in such a significant way.”

The Renk Seed Company was started by Joseph and Katherina Renk after they left Germany in 1846 and made their way to Wisconsin. The family has historically been innovative and passionate about the science of farming. In 1898, they raised the first silo in Dane County, and they were one of the first to utilize a tile drainage system for farm fields in 1916. Today, the independent, family-owned seed company continues to thrive.

Over the next five years, an average of 26,600 jobs are expected to open annually in the field of agricultural management and business. Richard and Sharon Renk, along with their son, Jeff, helped expand the original endowment to support students pursuing degrees in agriculture and agribusiness while empowering them to gain additional business expertise and encouraging future leaders in the field.

Kelly Herness x’26 says that it wouldn’t have been possible for her to attend UW–Madison without aid. “I am beyond grateful for the Renk Scholarship,” she says. “This scholarship has allowed me to obtain a high-quality education without putting additional financial strain on my farming family. Thank you, Renk family!”

Published in the Spring 2025 issue