With a background in agriculture and a passion for anything with a motor, Ryker Pickett is looking forward to joining the equipment industry. Ryker’s father, Kim, owns Gunnison Implement Co. with partners Brian Jensen, Hal Pickett and Carl Whitlock in Gunnison, Utah. The dealership sells short lines, hardware, used cars and ATVs.

Ryker will attend Snow College in Ephraim, Utah and plans to study business administration and management. He has received a $1,000 scholarship from the Equipment Dealers Foundation to help with his education, which will be matched by Gunnison Implement Co.

For the past seven months, Ryker has worked at Gunnison Implement Co., and hopes to continue his career there after school. He also grew up working on the family farm.

“I really love things with motors and that go fast,” Ryker says. “Working in the industry is almost like playing for me.”

Kim says that Ryker’s personality makes him a great fit for the industry, especially in his role at the dealership in sales.

“He’s extremely personable,” says Kim. “He relates well with people and is a natural salesperson. He also served on a mission with his church for two years. Ryker is a hard worker and very dependable.”

Keeping youth in agriculture through scholarships like the one offered from EDF is important, Kim says.

“Agriculture is a vital aspect of our world,” he says. “We have to encourage young people to participate, because we need it. It is an essential job.”

EDF was established in 1988 to provide scholarship funding to help meet the industry’s needs for trained individuals. EDF also provides temporary assistance for dealerships and its employees affected by natural disasters. Learn more about EDF here.