Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway has proclaimed July 25, 2024 as Jerry Apps Day in the City of Madison. The distinction recognizes Apps’ 90th birthday on that day and his lifelong contributions to celebrating and preserving the rich agricultural and rural heritage of Wisconsin.

In the proclamation, Conway notes, “The Madison community recognizes and appreciates Jerry Apps for his unwavering dedication to preserving our city and state’s unique identity and fostering a sense of pride in our shared history.”

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also recently issued Apps an official State of Wisconsin Birthday Certificate recognizing Apps as one of the Midwest’s best-known and most revered writers.

Apps, a longtime Madison resident, is a former county extension agent and professor of agriculture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he taught for 30 years. He is now professor emeritus. Today, he works as a rural historian and full-time writer and is the author of more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books including children’s books and many books on rural history, country life and the environment.

Apps served in the Army Transportation Corps from 1956 to 1966, reaching the rank of Captain. He helped create seven hour-long documentaries with PBS Wisconsin.  

“I am honored by the recognition,” says Apps, who was born and raised on a farm in Wild Rose. “On July 25th, and every day, I encourage others to share their own stories. Take the time to reflect on your history – know your roots and find your voice. Throughout my life, I have learned the power of a story. I learned that putting a little heart into a story will take it from ordinary to something meaningful. A little humor helps too. I write with the hope my words will get people thinking, and perhaps remembering. Memories are powerful tools to make a life more interesting.”

Apps has inspired countless individuals through his creative writing workshops, writings, radio programs and public appearances, fostering a deeper appreciation for the history and culture of Wisconsin and especially rural communities. He coined the The Old Timer Says tagline including, the saying: Without readers, where would writers be?

Apps has also won numerous awards for his writing. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, was named a Fellow by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters and was named to the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame.

Apps wrote columns for 65 years, finally putting them aside in 2022 to focus on writing books. His column “Outdoor Notebook” was featured in several Central Wisconsin newspapers. He has also written columns for Agriview, Country Today and Wisconsin State Farmer. He is proud to have presented at more than 135 libraries and local historical societies. Patterson Memorial Library named a “Jerry Apps” reading room in his honor.

Jerry and his wife, Ruth, have three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandsons. They divide their time between their home in Madison and their farm, Roshara, in Waushara County.