FEATURED FARMER: Following Your Heart

Following your Heart

1. Tell me a little about yourself and where you were raised. Family history etc

I am a proud sixth generation Texas rancher and Tarleton State University Texan Alumni that had the glorious opportunity to be employed at Sharyland ISD in 1993 as an Agriculture Science Teacher. I was born and raised in Kingsville, Texas. I was an active member of the Kingsville FFA and extremely blessed to have had a wonderful Ag Teacher, Chris Cernosek, who inspired me to succeed in all my endeavors. I was extremely lucky to have very supportive parents who allowed me to venture into activities that would better me as a human & become a productive member of society. My paternal side of the family was involved in production Agriculture through farming and harvesting fruit and vegetables. My maternal side of my family have always been ranchers that raised sheep, donkeys, goats, horses, and cattle. My great-great-great grandfather was Antonio López who established Rancho San Jose in the community of San Jose located southwest of Benavides, Texas. Antonio López obtained land grants from the municipality of Mier in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. He and his family crossed the Wild Horse Desert, known as Desierto Muerto, into present-day Duval County and settled there in the 1850s.

2. What made you interested in Agriculture?

I was reared at the ranch with my father and my maternal grandfather. I assisted them with ranch chores and cattle work that I grew to love and appreciate. I have treasured memories with my father and both my grandfathers at the ranch.

3. When did you know you wanted to be an Ag teacher and who inspired you?

I was inspired by my Ag Teacher, Mr. Chris Cernosek, and when I arrived at Tarleton State University. I was inspired by two great professors: Dr. Johnny Johnson & Dr. Ted Ford. I knew that I wanted to become an Ag Teacher during my sophomore year at Tarleton State. 4. When was your first year teaching and where…. Did you stay there the whole time?

I started my teaching career in July of 1993. I was fortunate to spend my entire 29 years of my career at Sharyland Independent School District.

5. What has been your most memorable moment as an Ag teacher?

I have so many treasured memories and memorable moments in my career, but what I am the most proud of is the fact that I inspired & impacted students to pursue a major in Agriculture Education and enter the classroom as an Agriculture Science Teacher. I currently have 8 former students teaching Agriculture Science and serving as FFA Advisors. This past year I was able to see 5 of those former students at the State FFA Leadership Development Event in Huntsville with teams that they trained and qualified for the event.

6. Although you taught students what was one thing students taught you?

Over the years, I have received notes and letters from my students imploring me to remain the same person and never change. That always made me smile knowing that my character impacted them tremendously.

7. What was one life lesson you tried to instill in your students year after year, or piece of advice?

I have always instilled in my students that: “When you work hard, good things happen.”

8. What was the most challenging thing about your profession?

9. What are you plans now?

I am currently consulting families all across South Texas with their livestock projects, working for two different cattle operations, serving as the South Texas Representative for Black Gold Supplements, and in January, I will become a sales representative for Seitz Fundraising out of Fredericksburg, Tx.

10. What advice would you give a young ag teacher entering into the profession?

Rome wasn’t built in a day….take your time but work diligently to build a successful program. Try to become as well rounded an Agriculture Science Teacher as one can.

11. What were some changes in the students you saw over the years as our generations have changed? Is it better or worse?

Unfortunately, I believe the pandemic made our students lazy. I kept due diligence to make sure I motivated my students to continue to achieve success. I was not going to allow the pandemic to affect the success of our program or our students.

12. Most rewarding thing about your job?

The most rewarding thing about being an Ag Science Teacher is the successes that your students achieve in and out of the classroom. I would not change a thing….God has his plan for me and it has been a phenomenal one. I was introduced to this scripture a year ago this July: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

14. If you want to include anything else, just type it below.

I have been extremely lucky to have a supportive network of friends, family, teachers, and students who have inspired me to do my very best. I want to personally thank my parents, Sebero & Anna Maria Barrientes, for all their support and sacrifices. My parents were extremely supportive of my sister and me during our FFA careers, as well as during my career as an Ag Science Teacher/FFA Advisor. Mom and Dad attended 23 RGVLS and 12 STAR shows to support not only their grandchildren but all of my FFA kids. Mom always asked about our success in LDEs, CDEs, and SDEs...Mom loved all of my FFA kids and she would often ask about them by name or visit with them when she saw them at stock shows or conventions. Mom truly believed in the value of a post-secondary education. She and Dad made tremendous sacrifices so that we could acquire a solid education so that we could each attend universities. I would not be the person that I am today without my parents. Thank you Miss Annie & Dad! Love you very much!

MAN OF THE YEAR IN TEXAS AGRICULTURE

The “Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture” Awards program has been proudly sponsored by the Texas County Agricul tural Agents Association since 1962. The members, directors and officers of the TCAAA are priviledged to bestow this award to a small number of individuals in recognition of their outstanding leadership in agriculture, agribusiness and their support of educational program efforts of the County Extension Agents of Texas.

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

Congratulations

to the boss man Carlos X. Guerra Sr. on being selected as the Texas County Agriculture Agents Association Man of the Year for District 12. We appreciate all those associated with this award that supported his nomination.

Congratulations to the fellow honorees as well, it was a great night in South Padre Island celebrating the life long accomplishments of these distinguished individuals who have fervently served our industry for many years.

We appreciate the county agents for all that they do for us Texas agriculturalists and look forward to continuing to work along side y’all to improve agriculture.

Unauthorized Disposition of Grain Results in Financial Penalties

If loan grain has been disposed of through feeding, selling or any other form of disposal without prior written authorization from the county office staff, it is considered unauthorized disposition. The financial penalties for unauthorized dispositions are severe and your name will be placed on a loan violation list for a two-year period. Always call before you haul any grain under loan.

Maintaining the Quality of Farm-Stored Loan Grain

Bins are ideally designed to hold a level volume of grain. When bins are overfilled and grain is heaped up, airflow is hindered and the chance of spoilage increases. If you take out marketing assistance loans and use the farm-stored grain as collateral, remember that you are responsible for maintaining the quality of the grain through the term of the loan.

Applying for Farm Storage Facility Loans

The Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program provides low-interest financing to help you build or upgrade storage facilities and to purchase portable (new or used) structures, equipment and storage and handling trucks.

Eligible commodities include corn, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, oats, peanuts, wheat, barley, minor oilseeds harvested as whole grain, pulse crops (lentils, chickpeas and dry peas), hay, honey, renewable biomass, fruits, nuts and vegetables for cold storage facilities, floriculture, hops, maple sap, rye, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, meat and poultry (unprocessed), eggs, and aquaculture (excluding systems that maintain live animals through uptake and discharge of water). Qualified facilities include grain bins, hay barns and cold storage facilities for eligible commodities. Loans up to $50,000 can be secured by a promissory note/ security agreement, loans between $50,000 and $100,000 may require additional security, and loans exceeding $100,000 require additional security.

You do not need to demonstrate the lack of commercial credit availability to apply. The loans are designed to assist a diverse range of farming operations, including small and mid-sized businesses, new farmers, operations supplying local food and farmers markets, non-traditional farm products, and underserved producers. For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.