No isn’t in Norman Ziskovsky’s vocabulary.

So he leaves the house by 7 a.m. and is lucky to be back before 9 p.m.

For this Swisher cowboy, it’s all part of a good day’s work.

“I keep myself busy,” Ziskovsky said. “If you keep yourself busy, you stay out of trouble.”

And so he does.

Not only does he tend to his own large herd of cattle, but helps with those owned by family and friends and anyone else who needs a helping hand.

In addition, he serves as president of the Johnson County Cattleman’s Association and on the board of the Johnson County Agricultural Association and the Fair Board, as well as volunteers with a number of other groups.

Every July, he sweats it out over the grill to help cook the hundreds of steaks served at Solon Beef Days.

His generosity led John Ernst of rural Iowa City to sit down and handwrite 26 reasons why Ziskovsky deserved to be recognized.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a 4-H pancake breakfast, a state or district cattleman’s meeting or a promotional agricultural event, if Ziskovsky can help in any way, he’s sure to be there, Ernst said.

“He doesn’t go chasing girls, he puts these other things first,” Ernst said. “He’s very dedicated out there in the front working. His word and judgment is well respected.”

— Deanna Truman-Cook

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