Larry is a lifelong resident of North Judson. He has a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. He and his wife, Marilyn, have two married daughters, Sarah and Julia. He is owner of Wickert Agronomy Service which provides agronomic consulting. His expertise includes fertilizer recommendations, field scouting, and crop insurance. He and Marilyn also operate Wickert Produce and Herb Farm raising chemical free vegetables and herbs.
Larry has been involved in the agriculture industry his entire career. He was previously a plant manager for a retail fertilizer plant, worked in feed sales, sold seed, and was engaged in farming.
As an active participant in community organizations, Larry serves on the North Judson-Wayne Township Library Board, North Judson United Methodist Church Administrative Council, North Judson Kiwanis, and Starke County 4-H Livestock Committee. Larry has served one term on the Starke County Board of Commissioners. He was also a Railroad Township Advisory Council member for two years.
Ron Gifford has worked for the Foundation as Special Projects Coordinator since 2008 after a law career of 32 years. In addition to his duties for the Foundation, Mr. Gifford serves as Director of the Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning (SCILL) and as a Business Advisor for the Indiana Small Business Development Center, serving businesses and entrepreneurs in both Starke and Pulaski Counties.
Lisa Dan has served as the Administrative Assistant of the Foundation since 2006. Lisa has over 25 years experience as an office administrator in the public, non-profit, and for-profit areas. Lisa brings to the office her unique organizational abilities. She understands the vision, is able to design its processes, and causes implementation to its ultimate end. Anyone contacting the Foundation can be assured their requirements will be received, understood, and implemented.
Linda joined the SCILL staff as Administrative Assistant in February 2016. Prior to working at SCILL, she spent many years in office management for a local company. Her passion lies in the needs of children and teenagers of Starke County. In 2012, she established Kid’s Closet Ministry at the North Judson United Methodist Church and serves as the volunteer executive director. Since June of 2018, Linda now handles the bookkeeping responsibilities for both SCEDF and SCILL.