Gilles Scholarship focuses on agriculture experiences

Robert “Rusty” Gilles (right) loved farming and anything to do with agriculture, and to honor that, his wife, Judy (left), and their family, established a scholarship in his name. The scholarship has now reached endowment and $250 will be awarded to a qualifying Cadott young adult in 2024. Submitted Photo

By Ginna Young

Each year, many groups and organizations hand out scholarships to those going into the medical field, education and business. But, there are those who don’t go onto higher education and instead, focus on the agriculture industry.

That’s why the Robert”Rusty” Gilles Youth Agricultural Scholarship was established with the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, created by Rusty’s family after he passed away in 2011. The fund is now fully endowed and the first scholarship will be awarded in 2024.

“This is an unusual scholarship, as it is only available to students not attending technical college or university,” said Judy Gilles, Rusty’s wife. “The intent is to assist young adults, 17-20, to participate in ag-related conferences, conventions, seminars and other training opportunities.”

Memorial funds from friends and family provided the start-up money to create the endowment, while a friend made memory bears out of Rusty’s shirts, with the sale of the bears adding more funds to give the applicants experiences at seminars and training courses.

“Rusty felt all youth needed to have these experiences and information to assist them in the future,” said Judy. “He felt students at tech colleges and universities have opportunities not available to non-students; therefore, the scholarship is to be dedicated to those students.”

Rusty was a lifelong resident of Sigel Township, Cadott, graduating from Cadott High School as an active FFA member. After high school, he attended the Farm and Industry Short Course in CALS at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. He also started and operated Chuck Wagon Meats, Cabin Ridge Rides and Sigel Sunset Ranch. Over his lifetime, he planted thousands of pine trees, which he managed with select cutting, selling Christmas trees and sawing lumber with his Woodmiser sawmill.

Open to all young adults in the Cadott postal area, this scholarship is intended to cover a wide range of opportunities, such as auctioneer school; horse shoeing courses; forestry; beekeeping; farmers market planning; soil conservation; University Extension classes; meat processing seminars; and chicken/egg production.

The scholarship is in the amount of $250, awarded to 17 year olds, as of the application deadline, Feb. 15, 2024, and no older than 20. The yearly amount available for a scholarship may vary, because of market fluctuations.

Scholarship forms are available through the Cadott School District and those with questions can contact Deb Yeager, at yeagerdj@cadott.k12.wi.us.

“We felt the ag scholarship was a wonderful way to honor his life and values,” said Judy.