Earl was raised in Pierson, Florida a small rural town in Volusia County.
This Central Florida community had around 1,000 residents and is known as the Fern Capital of the World for the cut foliage used in Floral arrangements.
Ziebarth received his bachelor's degree in food and resource economics from the College of Agriculture at the University of Florida in 1986.
Ziebarth received his Associate of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1985.
Deputy chief justice of the Student Traffic Court 1983–1984, appointed by Chief Justice Ava Parker, approved by student senate.