“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.”