Two Wisconsin Students Awarded the 2025 WBF Agricultural Banking Scholarship
The WBF offers two $1,500 scholarships annually to current students pursuing a degree related to agricultural banking at an accredited Wisconsin college, university, or technical college. Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievements, community involvement, career goals, and financial literacy.
Pictured left to right: Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Chair, Treasurer, and Executive Director Rose Oswald Poels, 2025 WBF Agricultural Banking Scholarship Winner Victoria Seif, and WBA Ag Section Board Member Cathy Asher of Security Financial Bank.
Victoria Seif is a student at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls pursuing a major in agricultural business. She is an active participant in both campus and community organizations, serving as a member of the UW–River Falls Agricultural Education Society and the Agriculture Business and Management Society. Seif is a standout leader and also served in multiple officer roles with various organizations throughout high school.
In addition to academic and extracurricular leadership, Seif’s professional work experience spans customer service and marketing roles. She has worked as a customer service representative at Russell’s of Neillsville and Citizens State Bank of Loyal, as well as a marketing manager for Erica Lawton Realty. These roles serve as a testament to Seif’s commitment to supporting local communities.
“I am interested in a career in agricultural banking because it ties together my interests in agriculture, economics, and financial planning,” Seif said. “Growing up on a farm gave me an understanding of the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards that come with agriculture. I have learned the value of hard work, the importance of planning ahead, and the financial circumstances that come with any agricultural operation. These experiences opened my eyes to the reality of agriculture and fueled my passion for the agriculture industry.”
Janelle Wolfe is a UW–River Falls student studying agricultural business. Wolfe is an active member of the university’s Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Crops and Soils Club, and the Agricultural Business and Marketing Society.
Pictured left to right: Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Chair, Treasurer, and Executive Director Rose Oswald Poels, 2025 WBF Agricultural Banking Scholarship Winner Janelle Wolfe, and WBA Ag Section Board Member Cathy Asher of Security Financial Bank.
Wolfe gained extensive hands-on agriculture experience before beginning her college education. She worked as an agronomy crop scout intern with Ag Partners in Elgin, Minnesota and assisted agronomists by scouting crop fields, identifying weeds, diseases, and insects affecting crop development. She also worked as a farm hand at Wolfe Family Farms, assisting with calf care, herd management, and operating farm machinery. Additional work experience includes roles at Suncrest Gardens Pizza Farm, St. Boniface Child Center, and Independence State Bank.
“Agriculture has always been a huge part of my life,” Wolfe explained. “I understand the struggles farmers face and I want to be able to help farmers out. I am very passionate about agriculture and enjoy finances which are the two driving factors behind why I am so interested in a career within agricultural banking or finance.”
For more information on the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation and its annual scholarships, please visit wisbankfoundation.org.
