Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Wade Hibler, 512-756-5463, wadehibler@tamu.edu
HORSESHOE BAY – The Texas County Agricultural Agents Association recently honored eight Texans, one posthumously, with their Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture award.
Pierce Miller of San Angelo, Dr. Dan McBride of Burnet, Mike Hill of Andrews, the late Mark Marley of Plainview, Charles Snowden of Linden, Neil Walter of Oglesby, Charlie Willman of Sequin and Ray Prewett of Mission were each recognized July 30 during the association’s annual Man of the Year Banquet at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott.
The Texas County Agricultural Agents Association is the professional association for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s county agricultural and natural resource agents. Wade Hibler, AgriLife Extension agent in Burnet County, District 7, association representative and president-elect of the association at the time of the banquet, said Man of the Year honorees are selected by half of the state’s 12 AgriLife Extension districts biennially. Selection is based on the nominees’ contributions to agricultural and 4-H programming efforts conducted by AgriLife Extension.
Miller, with ranching interests at Ozona, is a fourth generation Texas rancher, said Chad Coburn, AgriLife Extension agent in Sterling County, who presented Miller with the award.
“He is a current member of the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation Board and, closer to home, he serves as a staunch advocate for the AgriLife Extension Service on both the state and national levels for legislative affairs.
“His passion for the livestock industry and his unwavering leadership in Texas agriculture make Pierce Miller a most deserving recipient of the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association Man of the Year Award in Texas Agriculture,” Coburn said.
Miller has served the sheep and goat industry as chairman of the board of the National Sheep Improvement Center, president of the American Sheep Industry Association, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association, Texas Food and Fiber Commission, Texas Agricultural and Natural Resources Summit Initiative and the Texas-College of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Teaching group.
McBride, a veterinarian, was recognized for his veterinary service to clientele in Burnet and the region and for his wildlife preservation work.
“Not only has he assisted AgriLife Extension by helping with our many educational events, he has also assisted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Texas Wildlife Association, the Texas Deer Association, the Boone and Crockett Club, the Buckskin Brigade Camps, and many other groups and organizations,” Hibler said.
Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Andrews County, said Hill is the owner and general manager of Hill Cattle Company, a cow-calf operation in western Andrews County.
“Mike has always been willing to host and provide support to AgriLife Extension result demonstration work and applied research projects, and numerous demonstrations have been conducted on the Hill Ranch over the years.”
Greg Jones, AgriLife Extension agent in Garza County, presented Marley’s honor posthumously. Marley, who passed away Jan. 19, 2012, was the founder of Production-Plus Seed Co. at Plainview, a wholesale producer of hybrid sorghum-Sudan grass, pearl millet and other open pollinated forages, Jones said. The firm was also the first to commercially introduce the brown midrib forages for cattle and other livestock feed.
“Mark was an active member of Texas, Southern and American Seed Associations, the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, served on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by Texas Tech University,” Jones said.
A retired U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservationist, Snowden serves as a member of the Natural Resources Committee for AgriLife Extension and is currently president of the Linden Lions Club, a member of the Linden Parks and Recreation Board and shooting sports director for the Caddo Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, according to his nomination.
Walter has been farming and ranching in Coryell County since 1980. Through the years, he has hosted a number of AgriLife Extension activities and remains a strong advocate of AgriLife Extension’s educational programs.
He co-coordinates the county’s annual 4th Grade Ag Day which, since it began in 1998, has helped more than 5,000 youth learn the importance of agriculture. Ag Day is an example of his strong desire to educate all youth and adults on the importance of agriculture in their daily lives, according to his award presentation.
Willman has been involved in agriculture all his life. His contributions to AgriLife Extension in Guadalupe and surrounding counties includes his hosting several multi-county pecan educational programs and helping to plan and conduct the Guadalupe Valley Pecan Show.
His interest in new technologies has prompted him to serve as a cooperator for several pecan-related demonstrations and research projects. He is also credited with reaching over 15,000 third and fourth graders through teaching sessions on pecan production and agriculture and its importance to the community.
A leader in Rio Grande Valley agriculture, Prewett has taken the lead role in the Texas citrus industry’s fight for survival against citrus greening disease, the most serious citrus disease in the world, according to his award presentation.
After being confirmed in the Valley, he coordinated with citrus producers and disease regulators in combatting the spread of the disease in order to protect the local citrus industry. As president of Texas Citrus Mutual, Prewett has worked closely with both AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research for over 30 years.
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