“Farm Athletes” was launched last year as a platform aimed at connecting college athletes from agricultural backgrounds with “Name, Image, and Likeness” (NIL) opportunities. The initiative has evolved into a mission to address a significant gap in financial aid by providing scholarships for these hardworking farm kids athletes.
Farm Athletes was started by Zach Bosle, a sixth-generation farmer from Hastings, Nebraska, and founder and CEO of Tractor Tuesday, an online farm equipment auction platform. Before that, Bosle founded Hastings Ag in 2020, which he sold in 2024 to focus on Tractor Tuesday.
Bosle started Farm Athletes to help give farm kids a financial boost through NIL but quickly realized that there were bigger funding gaps that needed to be filled. Many of these student-athletes come from families that appear wealthy on paper due to land and equipment assets, often disqualifying them from receiving financial aid and scholarships.
Yet, in reality, these farm families struggle with limited cash flow. This financial bind often forces farm kids to either forego higher education altogether or work part-time jobs during college, stretching them thin and diverting focus from their studies and sports.
“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’ new nonprofit status allows it to provide direct financial relief through scholarships, easing the pressure on these athletes and letting them dedicate their energy to excelling in the classroom and on the field. Bosle say his organization understands that farm kids bring a unique grit and work ethic to college sports—qualities honed on the fields of the farm—but they’re too often sidelined by a financial aid system that doesn’t account for their reality.
Jordan Carstens, former NFL player for the Carolina Panthers and current farmer, is a spokesperson for Farm Athletes. Carstens himself is a former farm kid who was an ISU walk-on and then an NFL player. Carstens credits farm work for shaping his work ethic and says those tasks “prepared me for football in ways I never even realized.”
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, Nebraska, 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 actively seeking support from individuals, businesses, and corporations passionate about agriculture and athletics. Farm Athletes says the donations and sponsorships will fund scholarships to empower these student-athletes to succeed academically and athletically while honoring their agricultural heritage. You can learn more Farm Athletes’ website HERE.
