The Renk Agribusiness Institute — housed in the UW College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) — was established in 1996 through a generously endowed gift from the Walter 1924 and Martha ’30 Renk and Richard ’62, MBA’64 and Sharon Renk families of the Renk Seed Company in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. For nearly 30 years, the institute has managed agribusiness education, research, and outreach at CALS and the UW Division of Extension.
In 2013, the same gift — the Walter and Martha Renk and Richard and Sharon Renk Agribusiness Institute Fund — created the Renk Scholarship for high-performing Badgers interested in agriculture or agribusiness. Students receive financial support while also being connected to an expansive network of top internships, which provide valuable experience and support, job credentials, and business and leadership skills. 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 agriculturally 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 during my time in college, but it is also an incredible honor. It’s fulfilling to have my academic achievements and future career aspirations acknowledged in such a significant way. This recognition will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will strive to continue improving myself.”
The Renk Seed Company was originally started by Joseph and Katherina Renk after they left Germany in 1846 and made their way to Wisconsin. The Renk family has historically been innovative and passionate about the science of farming. In 1898, they raised the first silo in the county, and they were one of the first to install a tile drainage system in 1916. Today, Renk Seed continues to thrive as an independent, family-owned farm seed company.
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 ’81, MS’83 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 this area of study.
“I am beyond grateful for the Renk Scholarship,” says Kelly Herness x’26. “It would not have been possible for me to study at UW–Madison without the generous donors who make scholarships like this possible. I hope that my education will put me in a position to give back to my rural Wisconsin community and the farmers and agriculturalists who have helped me become who I am today. This scholarship has allowed me to obtain a high-quality education without putting additional financial strain on my farming family. It also enables me to focus on applying for internships that will help my future career. Thank you, Renk Family, for this wonderful opportunity!”