EDDYVILLE, IOWA -- Meet 18-year-old Marshal Wilz of Eddyville. Agriculture has been a big part of his life since he was born and is a fifth generation farmer. He has shown every animal from goats to pigs to cattle, sheep, and horses, but his favorite one of all is riding tractors which his two older brothers introduced him to.
“We got one as a family tractor, it won at the State Fair. We got a couple more, and it became fun to just keep doing it. Just to bring something back to life and taking them to shows, fairs, and parades and show them off. It’s fun.”
Marshal is a member of the Eddyville-Blakesburg Agri Power FFA. He has shown his tractors at the Mahaska County and the Iowa State Fairs and has won Grand Champion and first Place on various occasions. Behind all that recognition, Marshal said are a lot of hard work, time, and patience.
“We take the tractors when they aren't running and with no tires on them. We pull them out of the dirt and take them in. We strip them down…we take all the bolts out them, wire them, sand dust them, we get everything going. We make it brand new with whatever it needs.”
Marshal said that it’s his family that keeps him going no matter what.
“It’s not just one of us doing it. It’s the whole family from grandma to mom and dad. Everybody does it as a family.”
Marshal said he owes his success in agriculture to two very special people.
“Between Max and my grandpa, we wouldn’t be able to do this without those two. Max and grandpa have been there. They will come at any hour of the day or night and help you.”
Outside of farm life, Marshal is on the football, baseball, basketball, and track teams in school. He plans to go to Indian Hills College in the fall to study diesel mechanics and welding.
Congratulations Marshal on being this week's Ag Kid.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO