Connecticut boasts 58 tree species, and an estimated 60% of the state’s land is in forest.
Most residents can name a few tree species on a walk in the woods, but Diego Marks ‘28 (CAHNR) of Bethany can identify many of the species, their uses, and history. He grew up immersed in agriculture and started tractor pulling at age six, with the support of his family.
Later, he joined UConn 4-H and the Working Wheels 4-H Club, the third generation of his family to participate in UConn Extension’s youth development program.
“I joined 4-H for my machinery interests. UConn 4-H was my escape from regular high school,” he says.
Marks served as vice president of his 4-H club, and this year, he organized the garden tractor pull at the Litchfield County 4-H Fair in August for 20 youth participants. His club also volunteers at the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Fall Festival where they help with shuttles and directing people, and it’s one of his favorite events, along with the tractor pulls at the fair.
“Diego Marks has been an amazing member in the Working Wheels 4-H club for several years. His kindness and natural teaching ability was appreciated by all our younger members,” says Sarah Rhoades of Harwinton, the volunteer 4-H leader of the Working Wheels 4-H Club. “His legacy to our club before leaving for UConn was to help build a stone boat for garden tractor pulls. His knowledge and love of machines will be a missed.”
Marks is currently a freshman and forestry major in the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, CAHNR’s associate of applied science program. He is also the third generation of his family to attend UConn.
“I always had an interest in trees because of my grandfather, so figured I would try it. My grandfather, Edward Jackson ’62 (CAHNR), came here for landscape architecture and opened his own business. The business started in landscape architecture but then he got his arborist license and moved to tree care. Every time we went somewhere, he identified the trees, and this is something I’m interested in because he’s interested in it,” Marks says.
Marks’ mother, Wendy Marks ’92 (CLAS), and her sisters all attended UConn too. He came to look at the school with his mother, and with his grandfather’s encouragement, he applied.
“Leadership is definitely a big part of UConn 4-H, having to step in and help whenever,” says Marks. “It’s helped me to take the first step in coming [to UConn] and to not be afraid in meeting new people. If your kid is interested in agriculture, there is something for everyone, it doesn’t have to just pertain to animals.”
He joined the ScHOLA²RS House Learning Community too. During his first semester, he’s taken courses on dendrology and plant pest control.
“Diego Marks has been a pleasure to get to know and work with throughout his many years as an active 4-H member. He has grown from a soft-spoken new member of his tractor club to a confident, outgoing role model and junior leader for his club. He has done a great job in working with youth of all ages and levels of experience in making a positive difference in their 4-H involvement. Coming from a three generation 4-H member family, Diego has a passion for 4-H and proudly shares his love of tractors and agricultural engineering with his fellow 4-H members,” says Bill Davenport ‘86 (CAHNR), the assistant extension educator for UConn 4-H Litchfield County.
4-H provides workforce development, leadership, and civic engagement opportunities, and Marks is already at the head of the class in these areas. In high school, he started working for Woodlot Farm in Bethany, where he cleared acreage and planted trees. He also works for G&H Equipment and Sales in North Haven, and owns and operates Marks Landworks, his own mowing and brush hogging business.
Marks’ goals after completing an associate of applied science in urban forestry and arboriculture at UConn include earning an arborist license, completing an operator apprenticeship program, and perhaps opening his own business in excavation, landscaping, and land care. He also plans to stay involved with tractors and continue to volunteer with UConn 4-H.
4-H is a community of over 6 million young people across America who are learning science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); leadership; civic engagement; and life skills through their 4-H project work. UConn 4-H is part of Extension in the College of Agriculture, Heath, and Natural Resources. 4-H provides youth with the opportunity to develop lifelong skills including civic engagement and healthy living. Learn more and enroll your child in the UConn 4-H program at s.uconn.edu/4-H.
Follow UConn CAHNR on social media
