Travis Gottschalk, 18, of Kimball is one of 10 students from across the country who will receive a National Agri-Entrepreneur Award and $1,000 during a Friday, Oct. 31, ceremony at the 76th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. Gottschalk, son of Scott and Astrid Gottschalk, owns and operates T ‘N T Restorations in partnership with his brother Trevor. Together the brothers restore antique tractors. They have built a solid reputation in tractor collector circles as having exceptional tractor mechanical and restoration skills. “I fell in love with antique tractors at an early age when I saw some exhibited at our county fair,” Gottschalk said. “Before long, I had purchased my own 1944 Model ‘B’ John Deere tractor to restore. I completed my first full tractor restoration at age 11. When I was 14, my brother and I officially formed T ‘N T Restorations. “We offer a full line of repair and restoration services for antique John Deere two-cylinder tractors, as well as services for repair and restoration of other farm machinery and equipment,” Gottschalk said. “Plus, we offer a used parts service.” Tracy Huhn, Litchfield FFA advisor, and Gottschalk’s agriculture teacher said that “Travis’ tractor restoration business and his many other activities have prepared him to pursue his future career goals in mechanical engineering.” Gottschalk is a 2003 alumnus of Litchfield High School and is a member of the Litchfield FFA Chapter. He has been active in FFA, serving as a chapter and regional officer, and participating in job interview, agricultural mechanics, livestock selection, and creed speaking career development events. Gottschalk is also a state championship wrestler and was the 2001 national reserve champion in the Chevron/Texaco Tractor Restoration Competition. Now a freshman at South Dakota State University, he is majoring in mechanical engineering. At the local level, Haug Implement sponsored Gottschalk’s award. The Agri-Entrepreneurship Education Program is sponsored by and in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Kauffman Foundation works to advance entrepreneurship by reaching individuals of all ages through the delivery of entrepreneurship education, and the promotion of an entrepreneurial environment. For more information, visit www.emkf.org. For more information on FFA, visit www.ffa.org.
