Levi Meiwes has been counting on his chickens, and they’ve helped him hatch a plan to graduate from college nearly debt- free.
Meiwes, a senior at Iola High School and a valedictorian candidate, capitalized on his entrepreneurial spirit to start his own business, raising chickens to sell as both eggs and chicks.
Soon, he’ll be headed to Kansas State University to study animal science with an emphasis in poultry production. He predicts he’ll graduate debt-free, or close, thanks in part to the income he’s earned from his business, along with working for his parents and other area farmers. He also has a job lined up at the poultry barn at K-State, and has received tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships.
Ultimately, he wants to own his own business. Maybe a hatchery.
“I’ve done it once. I can do it again,” he said.
As for his current chicken business… Well, all good things must come to an end. He’s sold most of his chickens and significantly reduced the amount of eggs he sells.
“I do feel bad leaving my customers hanging. They are disappointed, everyone has been very understanding,” he said. “I don’t know of any other bigger backyard egg producers around here, but the market is there.”
He started with a herd of 20 chickens when he was 7. He plans to reduce his herd to about 20 by the time he leaves for college.
“I’m just going to bring it full circle and leave it there.”
Meiwes is the son of Paul and Becky Meiwes. He has a sister, Abagail, who is a freshman at Iola High School.
“Shout out to my parents. They’ve taught me financial management my whole life and so that’s been helpful,” he said.
He also wanted to give credit to his agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, Amanda Strickler-Holman, “and 10,000 other people” who helped teach him valuable skills.
MEIWES was always known for his intelligence and his drive. In middle school, he earned all As and set a goal to continue that caliber of work through high school to become a valedictorian.
He always did well in school, and it became an expectation he put on himself. Academic success took hours of work and dedication. Now, it’s almost a habit.
But as the end of his time in high school approaches — and after living through a pandemic — he sees through a slightly different lens.
