Farm Athletes opens doors for college athletes with ag roots

Farm Athletes, a new initiative spearheaded by online auction platform Tractor Tuesday, aims to support college athletes with farming and ranching backgrounds by offering NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. Organizers said the program seeks to alleviate the financial burden on these student-athletes face, empowering them to succeed both academically and athletically while maintaining a connection to their agricultural roots.

Zach Bosle, CEO of Tractor Tuesday, said the Farm Athletes initiative came from a simple but powerful idea: Farming is inherently physical work. Bosle explained in an interview with AGDAILY that farmers often engage in demanding tasks like lifting, pulling, and running from one task to another. Yet, unlike traditional athletes, their physical efforts aren’t typically seen as “training.” Through the Farm Athletes program, Bosle aims to shift that mindset and highlight the intersection of the world of agriculture with the physicality of sports.

“We’re reframing farming as a sport and farmers as athletes,” Bosle said. “The physical demands of agriculture should be recognized, and farmers should have the support and resources to build their strength, stamina, and resilience, just like any athlete.”

Bosle, who grew up on a farm, acknowledged that many athletes, particularly in football, often walk-on to their teams, meaning that the player joins a collegiate team team without being recruited or offered an athletic scholarship.

“It’s unfortunate how many walk-ons don’t stay with the program for four or five seasons,” Bosle noted. “A lot of walk-ons might fall through the cracks because it takes so much extra effort — balancing a hundred-hour workweek as a student-athlete, while also finding side jobs to cover living expenses.”

He hopes the Farm Athletes initiative can change that dynamic.

“We want to help these walk-ons stay engaged with their teams, even if they never get a scholarship. The program aims to create opportunities and recognition, especially within agricultural industries, so farm athletes aren’t overlooked,” he said.

Former NFL defensive tackle and Iowa State standout Jordan Carstens, who grew up on a farm, has endorsed the initiative. Carstens, who credits farm tasks for shaping his work ethic and discipline, said, “Farm work prepared me for football in ways I never even realized. This initiative is recognizing that connection and giving farm kids the opportunity to realize their full potential.”



Carstens said in a statement how farm life can instill resilience and determination that translates to athletics and beyond. He believes the Farm Athletes initiative is crucial for highlighting the hard work and discipline of farm kids, while also providing a platform to succeed in sports or other professional paths.

The program offers more than recognition — it provides practical fitness tools for farmers. Bosle explained that tailored workout plans focus on movements farmers use daily, from lifting heavy equipment to staying mobile during long days of work. The goal is to improve strength and flexibility while preventing injury.

“We want to ensure farmers are working smarter, not harder,” Bosle added. “The initiative emphasizes mobility and flexibility, which are key to reducing strain and keeping farmers healthier for longer.”

Farm and ranch work ethic

Bosle believes farm-raised individuals possess a unique and valuable work ethic.

“You work on a farm or ranch until the job is done. There’s no quitting early,” he explained. This discipline and endurance, instilled through farm life, translate well into other aspects of life, especially athletics.

“We want to bring attention back to these farm athletes and show that they’re not to be overlooked,” Bosle said.

He emphasized the importance of involving companies within the agricultural industry to support these athletes, both during and after their athletic careers.

“This impact will be well-received in smaller communities,” he continued. “We believe the outreach to other industries, particularly those tied to agriculture, will help create opportunities for these athletes to stay in the game and succeed.”

Beyond individual benefits, the Farm Athletes initiative creates a community among participants, offering support and motivation. Farmers are encouraged to share their fitness progress and experiences, fostering a network of camaraderie that resembles the teamwork found in sports.

“Farming can be isolating, especially in rural areas,” Bosle said. “This program helps farmers connect and stay motivated, much like being part of a sports team.”

Tractor Tuesday signs roster of college farm athletes

On Friday, Farm Athletes signed its first lineup of college athletes:

Marissa Porsch, a Fort Hays State University wrestler, is a trailblazer in women’s wrestling. In high school, she started the school’s program, being the only girl on the wrestling team and becoming their first Kansas State Champion.

Now, she and her coach are starting Fort Hays’ women’s wrestling program. She earned All-American honors at the world team trials last year. Not only is Marissa a standout athlete, she is also an accomplished academic, being class valedictorian in high school and earning a place on the President’s List her past two years in college while majoring in ag business.

Porsch grew up on a family farm in Northwest Kansas.

She said, “Growing up on a farm taught me the value of hard work. You physically get to see your work pay off when it’s June and you’re harvesting the wheat you planted in September or when I sell the calves I raised on bottles all the way to yearlings.”

Porsch was inspired by reading the book of Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner, who grew up on a farm in Utah. “Seeing how he applied all the lessons he learned on the farm to wrestling and vice versus inspired me to do the same.”

Porsch plans to work in agriculture and coach wrestling after college.

Tyler Horn, University of Nebraska freshman baseball player, is a standout athlete from Halstead, Kansas. In his senior year of high school, Horn was ranked the No. 2 right-handed pitcher and No. 3 overall prospect out of Kansas. He was named All-Class and Class 5A Pitcher of the Year after he pitched a perfect 0.00 ERA in 38.1 innings. Horn also achieved over 3.5 GPA every year.

Growing up on a farm provided Horn with essential life lessons. He particularly appreciates “the relationships and skills you build, which will help you for the rest of your life.”

Horn also thinks an agricultural background “makes you appreciate life a little more.” He takes inspiration from Nolan Ryan, who grew up on a ranch and then returned to ranching after his legendary MLB career. Likewise, Horn also plans to return to agriculture after he is done with baseball. He hopes to one day be an inspiration for “all those kids from small towns who think there’s no way they can make it.” Horn said, “I want to be the guy they look up to.”

Wyatt Hamilton, is a South Dakota School of Mines and Technology linebacker. Hamilton is an accomplished athlete from Park City, Montana, where his family runs a large ranching and farming operation.

His father was his first football coach in third grade, and Wyatt’s passion for football and hard work earned him a spot as an SDSMT Hardrocker after earning all-state honors his senior year. Wyatt believes his background of hard agricultural work set him up for success as a football player.

Hamilton said, “The work ethic that you gain from growing up on a ranch sets you up. When I got to college, the football workouts and strict schedule did not phase me. It was an easy transition as far as how hard I was working day to day.”

As brand ambassadors, these athletes will represent Tractor Tuesday in various marketing campaigns and community outreach initiatives. 

Looking ahead at the initiative

As the program gains traction, Bosle hopes to expand its reach by partnering with local gyms and agricultural organizations. He is also exploring sponsorship opportunities from companies aligned with the program’s goals, particularly those in the fitness and agricultural industries.

“Farmers are already reporting feeling stronger and more energized,” Bosle said. “We believe this initiative will not only improve farmers’ health but also boost productivity across the agricultural sector.”

By blending the physical demands of agriculture with the benefits of fitness, the Farm Athletes initiative is poised to redefine how farm communities approach physical health and create lasting opportunities for farm athletes.

Farm Athletes is now accepting applications from eligible NCAA athletes, with a selection process that emphasizes athletic performance, academic achievement, and a demonstrated connection to agriculture. By highlighting the stories and achievements of these athletes, Farm Athletes hopes to inspire others from similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams and succeed in both their academic and athletic endeavors.

Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.