Mastering the Art of Multitasking on the Farm

By Susan Houston Klaus

University of Nebraska at Kearney student Andrew Rentschler knows what it’s like to juggle.

Growing up in Atkinson, Nebraska, on a third-generation family farm that raised beans, corn and a little bit of popcorn, he pitched in with “pretty much everything you can imagine,” he said.

Rentschler’s skills were put to the test during every harvest season, when he would help with farm work between doing his homework and competing on his school’s state-champion track team.

Now a sophomore finance and accounting major and a member of the Loper Track and Field team, where he ranks in the school’s All-Time Top 10 in the 4×400 relay and 400 meters, he said his time management experience has come in handy.

“I’ve gotten pretty good at scheduling, and I understand when I need to just get the work done. I’m pretty efficient now,” Rentschler said.

Coming from a rural Nebraska farm near Giltner himself, Merle Horst also understands the art of juggling.

He and his two brothers graduated from Kearney State College with degrees in business administration. During his time at KSC, Horst was also a four-year letterwinner in track and field, specializing in the 400 intermediate hurdles and the 4×400 relay.

Horst and his wife, Kay — both University of Nebraska Foundation Trustees — were inspired to make a $500,000 gift to endow the Horst Brothers UNK Business Scholarship in the College of Business and Technology. The scholarship annually supports three undergraduate students from Nebraska farming communities.

The gift was made through Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future; the campaign’s top priority is support for students.

Rentschler said he’s grateful for the Horsts’ generosity, which means he doesn’t have to manage a part-time job along with school.

“It really helps me so I can focus all my time toward academics and also doing a sport. That takes up a lot of my time, so the scholarship should really help take off some of that financial pressure,” he said.

He has a few years before graduation, so Rentschler is looking at several career options. He’s leaning toward a future as a financial analyst or a credit analyst but could also envision himself as a CPA.

“I could see a role as a credit analyst, working with agricultural-related loans,” he said. “It could be a perfect fit for me because of all my past experiences in rural communities. I’ve seen how it impacts families, and then with my interest in business, I feel like it would work pretty well.”

As to where he wants to work after he has his degree, Rentschler isn’t sure yet. He’s hoping to get an internship in a larger city like Omaha or Lincoln so he can see what it’s like.

“But I could definitely see myself staying in a smaller community,” he said.

Though the two farm kids and track athletes haven’t had an opportunity to meet, Rentschler knows what he would want to say to his benefactors.

“I would definitely say thank you, and then I would probably want to talk to Mr. Horst about his backstory. I’m sure we would connect. With him also coming from a farming background, I think it would be a good conversation.”

Rentschler views Horst as a role model and says their shared experiences give him something to aim for.

“It just gives me some motivation, because Mr. Horst came out of a community similar to mine and did the same type of activities. It makes me believe I can make it in the business world.”