STAR STUDENT Zachary Warren Gray

HStar Student Zachary Warren Gray

Tell me a little about yourself, where are you from, age, where did you grow up etc…

I am Zachary Warren Gray, the proud 18 year old son of Ray and Cynthia Gray. I’ve grown up in Harlingen, and the place I call home lies on the Arroyo Colorado. I live with my parents, two Yorkies, Zoey and Sasha, cats Ghost and Calypso, and my showpigs. My sister is 15 years older than me, married, and I have a precious 4 year old niece and an almost 2 year old nephew.

Tell me how you got involved in Agriculture..

My dad is a farmer and I have gone to the farm every summer with him. Through that time, my experiences at The Science Academy, FFA, and 4-H, I have developed a passion for agriculture. What inspired you to join the 4H and FFA programs

I joined 4-H in third grade because I wanted to show pigs and be a part of my family’s tradition. My dad, my aunts, and my sister all showed pigs, while my grandfather showed cattle. One day, I hope my children join 4-H and experience all the 4-H project work available to them, to enjoy the same fun I have with my family. 4-H has turned out to be more rewarding than I expected: I have friends all over the state, made countless memories, learned hundreds of life lessons, and am now a more responsible citizen, fulfilling the 4-H motto “to make the best better.”

At first, I wasn’t sure just what it was I was getting into, but I have been involved mostly in 4-H, with the end of my 10 year show career coming to a close this June. As a result of my 4-H and FFA projects, I started a swine breeding operation in fifth grade. I have learned much along the way. Photography is another project that is really intriguing for me because there are so many opportunities to express my ideas. I enjoy bird and wildlife photography the most; sitting in a blind waiting to see what will appear is very appealing. This stress reliever will benefit me in the future; I now have a hobby to enjoy forever. Why is agriculture so important to you?

My father has farmed his whole life and I have worked alongside my dad every planting and harvesting season since I was eight. As a fourth-generation farmer in the Rio Grande Valley, I believe it is my duty to fight for the preservation and conservation of water and farming water rights. As cities grow more prominent and the population increases, municipalities will continue to claim more and more water, leaving the farmers with only so much water to irrigate their crops and water their livestock. These issues have prompted me to research how farmers can continue evolving to more efficient water irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, pivot irrigation, and no-till techniques to accommodate for the diminishing supply of water with the growing demand for food and fiber. Are you going to college to pursue an Ag Degree? If so, what are you planning on doing with it.

One of the more important things I have learned as a farmer is that the single most significant issue facing agriculture across Texas and the United States is water availability, timeliness, and cleanliness. It can be dry for several months in Texas, allowing fertilizer and other pollutants to build up, and then, when heavy rain hits us, suddenly, there is a big problem as irrigation canals overflow and built-up impurities throughout the natural and modified landscape flow into the ponds, streams, creeks, or rivers. Because of these issues and more, I will double major in Plant, Soil, and Crop Science and Environmental Engineering to solve water problems for ranchers and farmers.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?

The biggest challenge I have faced is overcoming my ADHD. This has made focus and organization a huge problem for me, and I have worked hard to overcome it. My parents and teachers have helped me implement tools and processes that help me be successful.

Biggest accomplishment?

I’m most proud of the results of all my efforts over the past ten years. I’ve worked hard at school, in the show barn, with my photography, I’ve taken advantage of internship opportunities and spent hundreds of hours in community service. The reward for this hard work is that I have the opportunity to attend a university of my choosing, with a major that feeds my passion, and I will be able to give back to the industry that grew me.

My most profound accomplishment in the show barn was placing 2nd at the San Antonio Junior Market Barrow Show this year. A very special bonus was that the judge recognized my showmanship when he spoke. His words were very kind and I am extremely proud.

If you had one opportunity to spreadone message about Agriculture to everyone.. what would it be?

Agriculture today is more than sows, cows, and plows, and our future depends on production farmers, agriculture engineers, geneticists, and creative marketers. My generation is tasked with feeding the projected world population of nine billion souls, and the trials we will encounter are real. As a future industry leader, I am up for the task to learn as much as I can to help find real-world solutions to these great challenges. What do you think the biggest misconception about Agriculture is?

In the age of information, where almost every teen and adult has a literal computer in the palm of their hand, we as an agriculture industry have failed to provide accurate information to consumers. There are many people today who do not truly understand what agriculture is. According to the American Farm Bureau, “the average American is now at least three generations removed from the farm. In fact, farm and ranch families make up less than 2 percent of the US population.” As an industry, we have failed to effectively message consumers that United States farmers and ranchers supply the world with the safest and most reliable food and fiber. What is your favorite thing about Agriculture?

Agriculture gives one a strength that I like to call “farm” strength because it teaches one that you don’t get to sit down every 30 minutes and take a break. You don’t get to go home just because of some time on a clock. Ag teaches you to work until the job is done, until the goal has been achieved. Who is your biggest mentor and what have they taught you?

My biggest mentor is not just my dad, but also my mom. Both have taught me the importance of working first, then playing. It’s always important to do the work necessary to achieve your goals, and then you can hang out or play games outside. But that’s not just where that ends. They have also taught me that hard work ALWAYS pays off and that no matter how hard you work, sometimes you just have to take disappointment in stride when you can’t get what you want.