Ottawa teen enjoys farm life

OTTAWA - Rachel Recker sees farming as tending to more than the crops and livestock.

"My favorite part is getting to spend time with my dad," she said. "It's more of a bonding experience for us. It's always been ‘our thing.'"

Recker, a 2008 graduate of Ottawa-Glandorf High School, said she wanted to help out on the farm as far back as she can remember.

"My parents have pictures of me trying to pull bales every since I was a little kid," she said.

Another part of farm life Recker said she enjoys is spending time with the animals.

"I've always loved animals. No matter how busy it got, I'd find time to go out to the barn and see the animals because it always seemed to relax me," she said.

Recker especially likes horses.

"We used to have horses, and I've grown up around ponies because my grandfather used to have the Recker pony ride at the fair when my dad was a little kid," she said.

Recker said she now has the opportunity to lead horses volunteering at Challenged Champions Equestrian Center in Ottawa.

"It's something I've always wanted to do, and now finally I have the time to do it, and I love it," she said. "I get so overwhelmed and excited every time I see a kid accomplish something they haven't before."

In her spare time, Recker takes riding lessons.

"I try to get a lesson in at least every other week because I love riding," she said. "My uncle also has horses, so I go over there. I love the horses. Each has their own attitude and moods that they go through just like any person does."

For Recker, 4-H has been another important part of her youth. She is treasurer and a 12-year member of the O-G Prize Winners and has competed at the state level with her projects.

"My whole family was in 4-H, and they all showed animals at the fair, so it was just a given I'd be in 4-H," she said. "When I was little, I'd tag along with my sisters to the meetings, and I loved watching them do projects and activities, and I wanted to walk in their footsteps."

Recker is a three-year member of the Putnam County Junior Fair Board and the 4-H Junior Leaders. She also has volunteered as a counselor at Camp Palmer.

At Ottawa-Glandorf, Recker was a member of the choir, Junior Optimists, Key Club and German Club. This summer, she is traveling with her classmates and German teacher, Hope Brinkman, in Germany.

She also was a tutor, played softball and was a member of the varsity cheerleading team that placed second in state competition this year.

Recker has taken tumbling lessons the past eight years and hip-hop lessons the past three.

"I love it," she said. "I still take lessons just to keep in shape."

This fall, Recker said she plans to attend Otterbein College to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.

"I've been in the hospital a couple times ... and the nurses were so nice. I enjoyed seeing what they had to do every day, and I've job shadowed and become more and more fascinated with that occupation," she said.