LUBBOCK–Veteran Dawson County extension agriculture agent John Farris has been honored by Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., as the outstanding cotton agent in West Texas. The award, presented annually by the organization representing cotton producers in 25 counties, was made at the group’s annual meeting at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center (April 17).
PCG president Jackie Burris, a Wellman grower, lauded Farris for his many years of innovative educational programs to help cotton farmers throughout the region improve profitability and conserve natural resources. He noted the agent’s leadership in establishing the Agricultural Complex for Advanced Research and Extension Systems (Ag- CARES) at Lamesa.
Ag-CARES is a 160-acre farm operation dedicated to research on full-size farm plots and the transfer of technology and best management practices for sustainable agriculture. It began operation in 1990 after Farris obtained a $100,000 commitment from the Lamesa Cotton Growers, a local growers’ organization, and support of the Dawson County Commissioners’ Court.
It is operated by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Agricultural Extension Service and Lamesa Cotton Growers, with support from the county commissioners’ court, Texas Tech University and private industry. Ag-CARES field days, tours and demonstrations let farmers see how new technology and practices work in actual field conditions.
In 1986, Farris recognized the increasing use of personal computers by area farmers and their need for an easily understood accounting software program adaptable to their use. Farris worked with Extension Service agricultural economists and developed such a system, the Texas A&M Cash Enterprise Record keeping Template (TAMCERT). The software is available statewide from the Extension Service.
When the Extension Service was given sole responsibility for educating producers on the provisions of the 1990 and 1995 federal farm bills, Farris developed a computer program to assist in this effort and trained other county agents to use it. He also has implemented and coordinated professional improvement tours for fellow agents to cotton-producing areas of Tennessee and California.
Farris received a bachelor’s degree in 1990 and a master’s in 1991, both from Texas Tech He taught vocational agriculture in Dimmitt from 1971-75. He joined the Extension Service in 1975 as an assistant agent in Dawson County. In 1977 he was named county agent for agriculture in Lamb County. He returned to Dawson County in 1982 as agriculture agent and program leader.
He is active in the Texas Association of County Agricultural Agents, National Association of County Agricultural Agents, the Extension Service honorary fraternity of Epsilon Sigma Phi and other professional and civic groups. His awards include two Texas A&M Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence, the Superior Service Award of the Extension Service, an Honor Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Cotton Extension Educator Award from the National Cotton Council, the “Mr. Cotton” Award from Lamesa Cotton Growers, a Distinguished Service Award from TACAA and Certificate of Distinguished Service from NACAA.
Farris and his wife LaNelle have a son and a daughter.
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