SAN ANTONIO – The Texas County Agricultural Agents Association presented seven Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture awards July 21 during its annual Award and Recognition banquet. The event was held at the Omni Hotel in northwest San Antonio.

“The members, directors and officers of the TCAAA are privileged to bestow the Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture award in recognition of outstanding leadership in agriculture, agribusiness and support of educational efforts by county Extension agents,” said Scott Strawn, the association’s president.

Strawn, also a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Ochiltree County, presided over the evening’s ceremonies, which were attended by more than 500 association members and guests.

This year’s Man of the Year in Agriculture awards were presented to:

– Dale Murden, president and general manager of Rio Farms Inc., a diversified farming operation in Hidalgo, Willacy and Cameron counties of South Texas. Murden’s operations include 18,000 acres of sorghum, corn, cotton, citrus, sugar cane and vegetable production, as well as a private agriculture research and demonstration component.

“Dale is a tireless advocate for the agricultural producers of the Rio Grande Valley,” according to his award citation, which also stated that “through his numerous leadership roles, he continues to strive for whatever will help ag producers be more successful.” Murden also was recognized for his “belief in the value of Extension education” by hosting field days, master marketer trainings and irrigation seminars at Rio Farms.

– Michael Kuck, Caldwell County, manager of Luling Foundation Farm and lifelong family farmer. In addition to foundation activities, Kuck has been an active community leader in Gonzales County, where he grew up and his family owned and operated a cattle, swine, row-crop and custom-farming business.

According to his award citation, Kuck and his father, in conjunction with AgriLife Extension agents and specialists in Gonzales, DeWitt and Lavaca counties, “conducted many row-crop trials, including corn and grain sorghum variety trials and herbicide tests,” as well as several insecticide, plant population, fertility and tillage trials. Kuck also was cited for exemplary 4-H and FFA program support, including participation in leadership, livestock project and judging team activites.

– Alfred “Mac” Gilliat, Real County, retired county AgriLife Extension agriculture agent for Baylor and Real counties and former director and honorary director for life of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Gilliat also has served in leadership roles with several other professional sheep and goat organizations and was awarded a 40-year buckle in 2008 for his long-time participation in the State 4-H Horse Show. He also has received numerous additional awards for his work as a county agent.

Gilliat was cited for his service and dedication as an AgriLife Extension county agent and for “being an advisor, mentor and friend” to every other county agent in the Extension districts he has served.

– Mike McCravey, Bell County, former AgriLife Extension county agent for Coleman, Tarrant and Presidio counties. Besides serving as a county Extension agent, McCravey also has been a livestock show manager for the Houston Livestock Show and the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. He has also been a territory manager for ACCO Feeds territory manager and has worked for the Texas Beef Council. He currently helps with beef quality assurance programs and participates in county-level events across his district, as well as serving on the Texas Beef Cattle Short Course advisory committee.

“His personal friendships with agents across the state and his willingness to provide support and a perspective from a former agent’s point of view make him one of the best mentors to agents of all ages,” according to McCravey’s award citation.

– David Gibson, Swisher County, executive director of the Texas Corn Producers Board for the past 10 years and executive vice president of the Corn Producers Association of Texas for the past eight years. Gibson has more than 35 years of agricultural experience, including family farming and ranching management, as well as 18 years as a county AgriLife Extension agent.

Gibson was cited for his service as a county agent, participation in the TCAAA and his work on animal industries and 4-H committees. According to the citation: “In his present position, he has helped the Texas Corn Producers Board increase its visibility by helping initiate the Texas Commodity Symposium in Amarillo,” as well as holding a other joint producer meetings throughout Texas.”

– Phil Sadler, Rains County, beef cattle producer and animal science and nutrition advocate. Sadler began his beef cattle operation in 1976 and today has about 750 head. He also works with Natural Citrus Products, a Florida-based company specializing in extracting sugars and oils from citrus to produce household and food-grade products.

Sadler was cited for his support of 4-H and Extension through the Beef Quality Assurance Program and hosting many educational events at his ranch, including field and plot demonstrations for weed control, animal health and nutrition demonstrations, and educating youth on the importance of cattle vaccine administration.

During his acceptance speech, Sadler quoted what his father taught him as a youth about responsibility in ranching, saying: “We are all stewards of the land. It is our responsibility to leave it better than we found it.”

– Guy Patrick “Pat” Peacock, Pecos County, manager of Longfellow Ranch. Under Peacock’s direction, Longfellow Ranch has increased in overall acreage, cow-calf capacity and wildlife habitat, and has been recognized for leadership in conservation range management, Mitchell said. Peacock also has supported various 4-H programs and events, giving time and resources to cattle and horse shows throughout his county and district.

According to Longfellow ranch owner Malone Mitchell, “The legendary reputation of Longfellow Ranch has been fostered for the past 32 years due to the dedication and management of Pat.”

Peacock was cited for his “conservation stocking methods, keen eye for livestock and success in building a solid hunting customer base while still managing to develop and maintain quality wildlife on the ranch.”
Writer(s): Paul Schattenberg, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact(s): Scott Strawn, sstrawn@ag.tamu.edu
Rick Maxwell, r-maxwell@tamu.edu

AgriLife Extension agents recognize 'Man of the Year' award winners

Seven men and women were recognized by the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association with Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture awards at the recent annual meeting in Amarillo.

The award, given for the past 46 years, is presented to individuals to recognize their outstanding leadership in agriculture and agribusiness, said Dusty Tittle, president of the association and AgriLife Extension agent in Burleson County.

He also said the award recognizes these individuals for their support of the educational program efforts of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service county agents.

"Their unselfish service has contributed to improving the economic well-being and quality of life in their communities, our state and our nation," Tittle said.

Those being recognized this year are:

--Lewis Britt, Wheeler County rancher and district representative for U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry. Britt travels throughout Thornberry's 44-county congressional district visiting with people about federal issues, said Kenny Brdecko, AgriLife Extension agent in Wheeler County. He also attends agriculture program committee meetings, crop and livestock educational meetings and field days, and serves as a resource person and speaker at many of these functions.

"Lewis has been successful at listening to county agents and their clientele and giving them a voice related to agriculture issues," Brdecko said. "He is a perfect example of being an informed agriculture leader, and that is why the county agriculture agents in District 1 would like to honor him with the Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture."

--C.E. Williams, chairman of the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District in White Deer.

Williams has been involved with AgriLife Extension as a 4-H livestock leader, Carson County Extension executive board chairman, Carson County Livestock Association member and announcer at Carson County Junior Livestock Show, said Jody Bradford, AgriLife Extension agent in Carson County.

"C.E. continues to serve as a leader who is instrumental in identifying issues that affect the residents of Carson County," Bradford said. "As a speaker at numerous AgriLife Extension programs, district irrigation conferences and other educational events, he has helped provide information and data on groundwater availability, conservation and management to residents in a timely manner."

--Minnie Lou Bradley, Childress County rancher. Bradley can be best described as a visionary of agriculture, said Lonnie Jenschke, AgriLife Extension agent in Childress County. Bradley is dedicated to making time for Extension programs and is always open to sharing information to producers and providing educational information about the value-added beef program provided through their meat packing plant, B3R Country Meats.

"Being ahead of her time in marketing and research is a simple way to describe her," Jenschke said. "Minnie Lou has been a rancher for 53 years and has seen many changes in the beef cattle industry. Even after selling B3R Meats, she still participates in Extension programs and hosts programs on her ranch to help educate producers."

--Ted F. Conover, president and chief executive officer of The Bank of Tyler, a division of Huntington State Bank. Conover serves on the state advisory board for the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program and is a member of the East Texas Beef Industry Roundtable, sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service, said Brian Triplett, AgriLife Extension agent in Smith County.

Conover has a cattle operation with his two sons in East Texas and is involved in a cattle partnership with his brother, Triplett said. He is co-owner of a ranch in South Texas which has been recognized by the Texas Family Land Heritage Program for being owned and in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for over 100 years.

--Jerry Lackey, writer of agricultural news and author of the Windmill Country column in the San Angelo Standard Times.

Lackey has been a professional communicator for more than 50 years, said Steve Sturtz, AgriLife Extension agent for Tom Green County. For many of those years, his career as an agricultural journalist, farm broadcaster and television personality have overlapped. He recently retired as the regional farm broadcaster for Voice of Southwest Agriculture Radio Network/Clear Channel Ag Networks. "Production agriculture is indebted to Jerry for his accurate, timely and educational reporting which keeps the general public informed of the importance of agriculture to our economy and how it is affected by local, state and world events," Sturtz said.

--Jim McCord, owner of JM Cattle Company with operations in Brazos, Burleson, Milam, Robertson and Washington counties. Embracing the mission of AgriLife Extension, McCord has devoted much of his time to assisting with the implementation of agriculture educational events in Brazos County, said Eric Zimmerman, AgriLife Extension agent in Brazos County. He has served on the Brazos County Beef and Forage Committee, Brazos Area Hay Producers Association, Pizza Ranch Agriculture Awareness Committee, Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Council, the Texas Forage and Grassland Council and the Brazos County Leadership Advisory Board.

"Serving as a voice for Extension, Jim McCord excels in telling our story," Zimmerman said. "From making contacts for our local Elected Official's Luncheon, to consulting with state legislators on the many benefits that Extension supplies to the residents of Texas, Jim is always on call and willing to be an Extension advocate."

--Jeff Nunley, executive director of South Texas Cotton and Grain Association in Victoria. Nunley has been an outspoken advocate for agriculture and an unwavering supporter of AgriLife Extension programs in Texas, said Joe Janak Jr., agricultural and natural resources agent in Victoria County. Nunley has directed association support for county crop tours, special cotton and grain field days, integrated pest management research projects, county demonstrations and applied research, and major educational events for the Gulf Coast region.

"Jeff is a firm believer that the future of agriculture depends on providing educational opportunities for today's youth and leadership opportunities for farmers," Janak said. "Through his leadership, South Texas Cotton Grain Association has established endowments at Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University to provide scholarships for congressional intern programs, and is an annual supporter of the TALL (Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership) program."

Texas AgriLife Extension Service agricultural and natural resources agents from across the state were recognized with awards at the annual Texas Association of County Agricultural Agents recently in Amarillo.

Six agents were presented with the Distinguished Service Award, the highest award a county agricultural agent can receive from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, said Dusty Tittle, president of the Texas association and AgriLife Extension agent in Burleson County. Each recipient is selected by peers based upon outstanding professional growth, program effectiveness, leadership ability, loyalty to AgriLife Extension work, civic and community involvement, and having been a national and Texas member for at least 10 years, Tittle said. All Distinguished Service Award recipients were honored at the national association's annual meeting and professional improvement conference this summer in Greensboro, N.C.

Distinguished Service Award winners and accomplishments they were recognized for at the Texas association's annual meeting were:

--Curtis Preston, Bailey County. An AgriLife Extension county agent for 23 years, Preston has influenced production and marketing methods currently used by producers in the Bailey County area. In 2005, Plains Cotton Growers recognized him as the High Plains Outstanding Cotton Agent. Other special recognition includes: Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence and the 2007 Specialists Association County Extension Agent Distinguished Achievement Award.

--Eddie Baggs, Denton County. As the agriculture and natural resource agent for one of the fastest growing counties in Texas, his projects include bringing agriculture producers together with the bio-fuel industry, working extensively with the North Texas Clean Air Coalition, developing and conducting effective and diverse programs in all areas of Extension addressing the needs of constituents. Baggs has been with AgriLife Extension for 17 years serving in Kaufman, Denton and Collin counties.

--Mark Currie, Polk County. Currie's service with AgriLife Extension spans 27 years in Houston, Panola, Newton and Polk counties. During this tenure, he has provided successful and innovative educational programs to agricultural producers, county citizens and 4-H and youth groups. His major program emphasis has been on beef cattle and forage production with the goal of maximizing producer profitability.

--Thomas Leroy, Montgomery County. Leroy, in serving the residents of Montgomery County and the surrounding area, has developed and implemented a volunteer management strategy through the Master Gardener program. The first Master Gardener program in the state was started in Montgomery County in 1979 under his leadership. He has been recognized with two Superior Service Awards, in 1985 and 2006, as well as a recognition award from the Texas Master Gardeners for his innovative approach to volunteer management.

--Rachel Bauer, Bastrop County. Bauer has provided leadership in agriculture and youth development to citizens in Comal, Bastrop, Hays and Caldwell counties. Her programming efforts have focused on beef cattle, forage production, natural resource management and 4-H livestock. She also maintains yearly curriculum programs teaching youth about water, agriculture and natural science. Special recognition includes the Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence and the Outstanding Young Agriculture Agent Award.

--Rogelio Mercado, Jim Wells County. Mercado began his AgriLife Extension career in 1993 as assistant agent in Kleberg and Kenedy counties. He moved to Jim Wells County in 1995. Mercado works closely with agricultural producers and landowners on beef cattle, wildlife, row crop and forage production. Other awards presented at the annual meeting include:

Achievement Award (presented to members with less than 10 years service)--Jay Kingston, Kent County; Chad Gulley, Nacogdoches County; and Samuel Gavito, Duval/Jim Hogg counties.

Early Career Awards (presented to members with less than five years of service)--Nick Simpson, Dallam/Hartley counties; Heath Lusty, Jack County; Roger Skipper, Fannin County; Clint Perkins, Wood County; Dena Floyd, Winkler/Loving counties; Corey Thomas, Stephens/Schleicher counties; David Groschke, McLennan County: Michael Jennings, Hill County; Joe Mask, Fort Bend County; Angela Camden, Hardin County; Joel Pigg, Real County; Dustin Coufal, Washington County; and Omar Gonzales, Maverick County.

Extension Program Awards/Agriculture--Search for Excellence in Livestock Production, Shane McLellan, Freestone County; Search for Excellence in Crop Production, Joe Janek, Victoria County; and Search for Excellence, Young, Beginning or Small Farmers/Ranchers, Jon Green, Parker County.

Extension Program Awards/4-H and Youth Development--Search for Excellence in 4-H and Youth Development, Tommy Phillips, Van Zandt County.

TCAAA Specialist Awards for Distinguished Service--(state recipient) Dr. Randal K. Boman, professor and Extension agronomist; (district recipient) Dr. Carl Patrick, retired professor and Extension entomologist, Amarillo.

Texas Extension Specialists Association/County Extension Agent Distinguished Achievement Awards--Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bill Botard, Gillespie County; Family and Consumer Sciences, Kathy Aycock, Tom Green County; 4-H and Youth Development, Jerry Kidd, McCulloch County; Community Development, Steve Estes, Fisher County; Specialty, Ed Bynum, Nolan County.

Professional Ag. Workers of Texas Outstanding Young County Agricultural Agent Award--Jay Kingston, Kent County. Texas Corn Producers Board Distinguished Service Award--Nick Simpson, Dallam/Hartley counties. Texas Wheat Producers Board Outstanding Agent Award--Marty Jungman, Hill County.
Texas Peanut Producers Board Outstanding Agent Award--Dale Dunlap, Collingsworth County.

9/8/08