If you were to meet him, there would be no doubt in your mind that Timothy Prestby is a successful young man with a bright future ahead. And when talking about his accomplishments he credits his family and his hometown community of Pulaski for his success.

Prestby’s list of passions is almost as long as his list of extracurricular activities: sustainability, agriculture, healthy living, environmental vitality, healthy cooking, global culture and the Spanish language. And these passions were fostered by Prestby’s brother during a challenging and emotional time.

“My brother was fighting cancer,” recalls Prestby, “and was struggling to live a healthy life. Chemo ruined his taste and his energy. I wanted to do anything I could do to prolong the life of everyone in my family.”

And this is where the lifestyle turnaround began.

The commitment wasn’t easy. Prestby and his father were both overweight and this change was significant for the entire family. Through time and a lot of effort, the entire family started eating better and exercising more.

“I wanted to make a change in my life—live healthier and feel better about myself. I have my brother to thank for teaching me to make the most of life,” shared Prestby. “Life can change in an instant and our time on earth is precious.”

Prestby’s brother passed away two years ago, but the lessons learned will live on forever.

Today, Prestby hopes to turn those lessons into action. He is interested in taking the idea of sustainable food and matching healthy living practices with people.

This idea started when Prestby was taking AP Environmental Science last year as a senior at Pulaski High School. As he discovered the disconnect between the food industry and the consumer; sustainable agriculture became not only an interest, but a passion.

“Consumers should know where their food comes from, and we should be supporting local farms in this process,” shared Prestby. “Preparing your food, and not eating processed food, is also part of my interest. It all fits together.”

“I want to better the community and increase others’ well-being,” shared Prestby. From informing his fellow classmates to educating the community; reducing food waste and bringing hungry people healthy food—Prestby is looking to change the way people and food interact.

Now that he’s at UW-Madison, Prestby is involved with the Food Recovery Network where he and other students partner with dining halls to bring extra food to low-income housing families. For him, it’s a win-win. “It’s fighting hunger and fighting food waste at the same time,” he said.

This summer, Prestby hopes to study abroad in Nicaragua where he’ll spend time on both food and coffee farms learning how these small communities’ food systems and economies benefit their society. He’ll be able to tie in his Spanish speaking skills while visiting Nicaragua as well.

“These small communities promote sustainability and well-being for the community and I really want to explore that more.”

Everything Prestby has experienced and earned, he continues to credit others for their help in getting him here.

“I feel very gracious to everyone who has helped me along the way—support from my family, friends and the Pulaski community,” said Prestby. He praises the support he received from the Pulaski School System, countless local organizations and charities.

In particularly, he credits the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship.  “I’m here because of their scholarship support,” shared Prestby. As a 2016 recipient of a scholarship that supports students interested in agriculture and community, Prestby receives $10,000 over four years for his education.

“Because of this, I have shaped my passion to enrich my community. I am so blessed to be part of this community. They turned a chaotic life into one that was manageable and enjoyable—not one daunted by cancer,” shared Prestby.

As for the future, Prestby sees himself partnering with other like-minded individuals to use their talents and passions to benefit small local communities.

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Tim Prestby is a freshman at UW-Madison majoring in Horticulture. He is involved in the Horticulture Club, Food Recovery Network, Micentro (tutoring and mentoring of Hispanic high school students) and is a resident at UW-Madison’s residence for environmental sustainability where he helps share information and promote sustainability among students.

Bambi (Quam) Gorman, 1991 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship recipient, grew up in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Her family, from a rural community in the 1970s, was focused on putting food on the table, not on encouraging advanced education.

And for Gorman’s family, education wasn’t part of the family’s history. Her father’s elementary education took place in a one-room schoolhouse, and he never finished high school. Gorman’s mother didn’t pursue education either, she was focused on building a family. For Gorman, this wasn’t abnormal—no one in her immediate or extended family graduated from college. It just wasn’t the focus.

“As I think about my successes now, it’s quite amazing I was able to put them together with parents who really had a main focus of feeding us every day,” shared Gorman. “They could in no way provide the kind of insight required to push me on to college.”

But her individual drive did.

An unfortunate experience led Gorman to not only pursue higher education, but ensure her future would be successful.

Gorman’s father was diagnosed with leukemia at age 38, when she was just a freshman in high school. This arduous life experience caused her to grow up quickly. The family spent years fighting for coverage of medical expenses and experimental therapies. While trying to figure out how to afford health care costs, the family worked hard on raising awareness for bone marrow donors to help put Gorman’s father into remission—an effort that most high school students can’t image. But for Gorman, she recalls this trying experience helped her become the person she is today.

“This experience shaped me and made me anxious to be successful quickly and incredibly driven,” shared Gorman.

While the family continued to care for Gorman’s father, she also knew she needed to focus on attending college to continue her studies. However, the family was struggling with the increasing healthcare costs, and contributing to higher education tuition wasn’t an option.

“I knew I wanted to go to Marquette and I knew I could find a way financially to make it happen,” shared Gorman. She paid for all four years of college herself, and credits the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship for helping make it possible, offering her $8,500 in scholarship dollars over four years.

Goman reflected, “The scholarship made a huge impact—it was the way I was able to make it at Marquette. Truly, thank you does not say enough.”

While Gorman’s professional career didn’t take her into the agriculture field, she credits the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship with her college and career success.

After graduating from Marquette University, Gorman was hired by Kimberly-Clark and held numerous roles within the company over the years. After some time spent in consulting, Gorman now works for New Jersey-based Soundview Paper as the Vice President of Commercial Operations. Gorman received an MBA from 2001 from Georgia State University.

Today, Gorman is married with two daughters, Caitlin and Addison. Her focus on community and health awareness has never been stronger.

“I try to give back by continuing to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by participating in their endurance fundraising program called Team in Training.” Gorman has raised more than $50,000 and is participating in two upcoming half marathons as part of her volunteerism and community engagement.

And today, Gorman remembers the scholarship and support she received fondly, “Thank you Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Thank you for taking a chance on me. The opportunities you provide lead to a lifetime of difference for the recipients.”

Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship surpasses $550,000 in gifts to students committed to agricultural fields and Northeastern Wisconsin

Program hopes to counter perception that college costs too much and is out of reach.

Ice cream. A love of the farm. And a pursuit of education. Much like the proverbial American dream, Thomas H. Lutsey’s legacy continues to advance all three.

Each year, the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship announces new recipients who will become part of tomorrow’s agricultural future—and who will have financial backing to realize the dreams they have for their own rural communities.

Thomas H. Lutsey was a dairy farmer from Pulaski, Wisconsin who dreamed about ice cream on a stick—and then figured out how to do it. He went on to create Gold Bond Ice Cream which later became Good Humor-Breyers. Lutsey’s passion for innovation led to numerous patents to make ice cream novelties like the Eskimo Pie.

Since 1986, nearly 100 rural students have benefited from over a half a million dollars in scholarships gifted through the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Today, the students typically receive a $10,000 scholarship given over four years.

2016 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Recipients

This year, four of the five scholarship recipients are children of Wisconsin farmers. “These students are the future of rural Wisconsin,” said Matt Lutsey, President of Waseda Farms. “Their commitment to go to school and then return to their farms or communities is something we believe in encouraging. They will bring with them new ideas, new innovations, and a love of the rural lifestyle that is so important to Wisconsin and our economy.”

Student Awareness of Scholarships is Critical to Ensure College Attendance

Today there is much discussion on the rising cost of college education. Families are concerned about how they will make college possible. This is giving some students the early idea that perhaps they should start working right after high school, or not plan on going to college at all.  This scholarship, in addition to others available in Northeast Wisconsin receive far too few applications each year. “We would love to see an increase in scholarships,” says Lutsey. “Students cannot receive the funding we offer, or any other local scholarship offers, if they don’t apply.” The scholarship is trying to increase its awareness by reaching out to 4H and FFA groups, high school counselors and directly with families. “We are not only trying to increase the awareness, but to streamline the process. Shortly we will launch an improved way to apply online.”

A Generational Commitment to Farming and Education

Lutsey’s son, Tom Lutsey, continued his father’s passion for the farm and purchased land in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin that is now Waseda Farms. The organic farm has a store-front on the farm in Baileys Harbor as well as a Waseda Farms Market in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Matt Lutsey, grandson of Thomas H., recently attended the Pulaski High School

Academic Award Ceremony to award high school senior Tim Prestby his prize. “We know how important education is to the future of Wisconsin agriculture. Waseda Farms, through the legacy of Thomas H. Lutsey, will continue to encourage Northeast Wisconsin students like Tim to aim high,” said Lutsey.

The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors with a Northeastern Wisconsin rural background who are pursuing a college degree that will enhance rural communities. Special attention is given to those who plan to commit themselves to living and working in the area to advance Wisconsin’s agriculture future.  More on the scholarship can be found at www.lutsey.org.

Waseda Farms is a certified organic, sustainable farm that encourages the best environmental practices, humane animal treatment and provides agricultural jobs to the community. More on Waseda Farms can be found at www.WasedaFarms.com.