Zack Rendel stands in his field, living out the FFA motto of “Living to Serve.”
For sixth-generation Oklahoma farmer Zach Rendel, the dirt of Ottawa County is more than soil — it’s a legacy. His family homesteaded the land in what was then Indian Territory in 1893. More than a century later, that same spirit of determination continues to drive his diverse row-crop operation. Today, the Rendel family farms around 6,000 acres of corn, soybeans, grain sorghum and wheat — an operation built on both hard work and heart.
Rendel began his farming journey at a young age, starting with just 26 acres as his high school Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. After graduation, he pursued a welding career and spent time working on pipelines in Pennsylvania. But an unexpected “aha moment” of watching a family of farmers harvesting corn in the late fall brought him home. In 2009, he returned to Ottawa County and eventually started his own operation in 2015, taking on ownership of 150 acres from a retiring neighbor.
A Career of Constant Growth
For Rendel, farming embodies the FFA motto of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”
“A farmer is constantly learning new things every day,” he says. “It’s never finished.”
His passion for service extends beyond his acres. Through partnerships with Oklahoma State University Extension, Rendel works to improve farming practices. He often hosts on-farm research projects, testing fertilizers, chemicals and seed varieties to see what works best.
Giving Back to the Community
Rendel’s dedication to community service runs deep as well. He and his wife, Kristi, who’s an insurance agent, support the Ottawa County Child Advocacy Center, helping raise funds through events like “Rigs on Route,” a semi-truck show that benefits local causes.
“It’s rewarding to see everyone come together,” he says. “Even something as simple as shining up my farm truck felt like a way to give back.”
Growing More Than Crops
In addition to farming, Rendel has served on numerous boards, including the Ottawa County Fair Board, United Sorghum Checkoff and Farm Service Agency committees for both Ottawa and Delaware Counties. Still, Rendel admits that balancing community involvement with the demands of farming can be difficult.
“Sometimes I feel like I give too much of my time, but helping others gives me a break from the everyday aspect of the operation,” he says. “It helps me decompress and remember what’s really important.”
Looking Into the Future
Looking ahead, Rendel hopes to continue the family legacy while inspiring the next generation.
“Whether it’s passed down through my family, or shared with an FFA member who wants to work the land, I want this legacy of farming and service to keep growing,” he says.
For Rendel, the legacy isn’t just about the land, though.
“I’d like to be known as the person who was always willing to drop what he was doing and do whatever,” he says. “I don’t want to be remembered as just the farmer; I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference.”
