By Rick Hirsch/AgriLife Extension Agent
The 52nd annual Henderson County Farm & Ranch Tour will be departing the Cain Center on Tuesday, May 19, at 9 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be available at 8 a.m. The tour will culminate with a luncheon back at the Cain Center which will cost $5 per person. The luncheon will include the presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year Award.
The farm and ranch industry remains one of the largest sources of income in the Henderson County area. So it comes as no surprise that people are taking an interest in ranches for sale. The Athens Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event which is dedicated to highlighting the importance of this industry.
The Farm & Ranch Tour began 52 years ago under the direction of Jay Benson, Wyndel Tackett, J. D. Lewis, Woodrow Walker, Buford McLaughlin, Hub Moon, John Corley and others. The tour is organized by a number of volunteers and is funded by donations for the business community. Without the support of our sponsors the tour would not be possible.
Athens and Henderson County have a rich history in the agriculture industry. The major production areas include beef cattle, nursery crops, fruits and vegetables, hay production, timber and horses. Beef cattle production and horticulture continue to be the leader in agriculture production in the county. Fertile, well managed, pastures and productive cattle go hand in hand. Various types of perennial grasses are the most widely used forage for grazing and hay production. Wildlife management is on the rise as more land users see the economic value and conservation importance of wildlife.
Production is not the only part of agriculture that helps to drive the economy in our area. There are numerous businesses that are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Farm and ranch supply stores, marketing companies, equipment dealers and many others serve agriculture producers.
In the agricultural sector, farming equipment is frequently being upgraded to improve its quality. This does mean however that keeping up with the latest developments can quickly become expensive for those working on farms. Fortunately, there are a few potential solutions.
Equipment financing is a popular route for farmers who need the latest equipment but cannot afford to purchase it outright. If equipment financing interests you, you can find further information and get financing here.
Stops for this year’s tour include Oak Hill Farm, Jerry Stone Ranch and the Malakoff Ag Science Program.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon will be Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, Regents Fellow, Leadership Program Director and Professor Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Dr. Mazurkiewicz is a native of the Brazos Valley. His family originally settled in Washington County at the end of the ninetieth century and they still own and operate the family farm in Chappell Hill, Texas. He graduated from Waller High School and received a B.S. and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and a Masters from Texas Tech University.
Jim married Kathy Gore from Houston in 1978 and they are the proud parents of three children, James, Kathy Ann and Stephanie. They are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan and have lived in Brazos County since February 1986.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M in 1977, he worked for the USDA\FSQS Meat Grading Service for one year in Chicago and then joined Texas A&M AgriLife Extension as a County Extension Agent from April 1978 until April 1998 serving four counties in Texas (Guadalupe, Knox, Ector and Brazos). For 12 of those 20 years, he served as the Brazos County Extension Agent-Agriculture. Currently, he provides leadership to two Extension Leadership programs: 1) the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) for agriculture industry leaders in Texas and 2) the San Antonio Livestock Exposition – Leadership Extension for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension faculty. In addition, he provides leadership to Extension International programs including Mexico and Poland.
In his spare time, he operates a beef cattle ranch where he raises show cattle to exhibit at livestock shows throughout the state. Jim is also a national and state approved beef cattle judge and has judged throughout the U.S. and Texas. He has judged over 350 shows in 10 states including every major livestock show in Texas. He enjoys working with youth and has coached 20 state qualifying 4-H Livestock Judging Teams and 8 national qualifying 4-H Livestock Judging Teams with one national title.
He has been active in the community and the TAMU System serving in several leadership roles. Currently, he is president of the Brazos Valley Fair and Expo, chairman of the Bryan\College Station Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, member of the Brazos County Expo Hotel/Motel Tax Committee and 2nd vice president of the PACT.
In addition, he servers as past member of the board of directors of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, past-chairman of the board of directors of the Brazos County Youth Livestock Association, member of the Texas AgriLife Extension Administrative Council, member of the Brazos County Expo Park blue ribbon committee, member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Rural Leadership Program, Inc., member of the Texas A&M University System Beef Industry Team, member of the Texas AgriLife Extension 4-H Beef Project Development Team and member of the Brazos Valley Agri-Food Council. In addition, he has chaired and served as a member of many state, regional and local committees.
Jim has been the recipient of several awards and some of these include Regents Fellow in 2012, the Bryan /College Station Volunteer of the Year Award in 2013, the Medal of Honor from the Polish Minister of Agriculture in 2011, the Outstanding Leadership Program Director Award by the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership in 2010, the Bryan\College Station Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Recognition Award in 1997, Epsilon Sigma Phi Meritorious Service Award in 1997, Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence in 1996 and 1985 for Agriculture and 4-H, respectfully, Texas AgriLife Extension Superior Service Award in 1991 and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Achievement Award in 1985.