AgriLife Extension agricultural agents honor Man/Woman of the Year recipients

The “Man/Woman of the Year in Texas Agriculture” Awards were presented recently by the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, TCAAA, during their annual conference.

TCAAA started the awards program in 1962 to recognize individuals who exhibit outstanding leadership in agriculture, agribusiness and educational program support of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources county agents across the state.

This year’s award winners by district, and information from their nominations, are as follows:

District 1 – Amarillo headquarters

Virgil Bartlett, a longtime friend and strong supporter of AgriLife Extension, is a native of Lamesa and a graduate of West Texas State University. Upon graduation, he made Randall County his home. He served as chairman of the Randall County Junior Livestock Show Buyers Club for several years and on the Building Committee for the current Kuhlman Extension Center in Randall County as well as the Digger Howard 4-H Livestock Barn. He has supported AgriLife Extension across the entire Panhandle region. He served as manager of Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in Amarillo for 20 years, retiring in December 2021. He implemented the annual Tri-State Fair and Rodeo Benefit Gala, a scholarship fundraiser for Texas Panhandle 4-H and FFA members. A total of $236,500 in scholarships have been presented to 51 youth. For more than two decades, the Tri-State Fairgrounds served as home for the annual District 1 4-H Horse Show. Bartlett and the facilities also hosted numerous District 1 4-H Roundup Contest and events.

District 3 – Vernon headquarters

State Sen. Drew Springer of Muenster, elected to the Texas House in 2013, is considered a friend and true advocate for Texas agriculture on both the state and local levels. Springer is an avid supporter of AgriLife Extension’s county agriculture and 4-H programs. He is always willing to discuss issues that need to be addressed for farmers, ranchers and the agriculture community, whether on the phone, in his office or at a meeting. He keeps producers and county agents in his district updated on developing agriculture issues and how they are viewed around the country. Springer grew up in Weatherford, attended Weatherford High School, Weatherford College and then the University of North Texas, where he received an accounting degree. He spent 15 years working for a Texas railcar company before joining his father’s financial services company, specializing in agricultural futures and securities for the last 16 years. Additionally, he has been a volunteer fireman for 15 years.

District 5 – Overton headquarters

After graduating high school in 1998, Gene Stokes started as a day-working cowboy and raising Hangin’ Tree cow dogs. In 2004, he moved to Crockett to manage the Clark Angus Ranch. While there, he became involved with AgriLife Extension in Houston County, hosting beef tours, showcasing his dogs on cattle, guest speaking and supporting the Science of Ag Day the AgriLife Extension office holds each year for third and fourth graders. In 2014, he became general manager of Triple Sons Farms, overseeing the East Texas branch of the ranch, feedlot, and commercial and registered Angus herds. While serving as general manager, he hosted the multi-regional beef program Cow Country Congress. He understands the importance of what AgriLife Extension does and supports the program, never hesitating to help when called. In 2020, Stokes was elected Precinct 3 Commissioner in Houston County, where he is vocal in his support of the programming and youth outreach implemented by AgriLife Extension.

District 7 – San Angelo headquarters

Kim Bosher graduated from Victoria Stroman High in 1982 and attended Victoria College and the University of Houston in Victoria. She moved to Abilene in 1995 and began her career in the automotive industry, where she became interested in agribusiness. In 2015, Bosher went to work for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and took over the production of the longest-running Farm Show in Texas — The Texas Farm Ranch Wildlife Expo. She worked in tandem with the AgriLife Extension office in Taylor County to provide education and show the impact the agriculture industry has in the 16-county trade area known as the Big Country. Bosher served as the events director for six years and in 2021 became the director of convention sales for the Abilene Convention Visitors Bureau. She also works and volunteers with the Expo Center of Taylor County, supporting agriculture and educating the Abilene business community on the importance of agribusiness in the Big Country area.

District 9 – Bryan headquarters

Pete Scarmardo, owner of Scarmardo Cattle Company in Caldwell and three other agricultural enterprises, has been an influential part of the agricultural industry and a great asset to AgriLife Extension. Scarmardo knew that he wanted to work cattle ever since he was a boy growing up on his family’s farm in the Brazos Valley, and in 1975 he realized his dream by starting Scarmardo Cattle Company. He has been involved in AgriLife Extension programming at the local, regional and state levels. He has hosted the Burleson County Beef Tour and has been a speaker at many programs helping to educate producers. For many years, Scarmardo has served as the livestock superintendent at the Burleson County Fairs, supporting the youth of Burleson County. He also is an influential part of ensuring the Burleson County Youth Livestock Auction is a continual success.

District 11 – Corpus Christi headquarters

Greg Gossett, a native of Bryan and president and CEO of Allied Feeds Inc. in Cuero, earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in meat science from Texas A&M. He has been serving as president of the Cuero Livestock Show since May 2017 and has continued the Shoestring Syndicate, a major buying syndicate of the Cuero livestock show his father started over 35 years ago, as well as his own syndicates. Over the years, his involvement with these syndicates has resulted in over $1 million for 4-H and FFA kids of DeWitt County. Through Ful-0-Pep Feeds, he supports and represents agriculture, community events and the youth of DeWitt County, as well as other counties throughout the state. The company is very involved with the Bexar County Livestock Show and Sale and has supported this show and sale for 35 years. Ful-0-Pep has also supported many other county shows and sales throughout their trade area.

District 12 – Weslaco headquarters

Carlos Guerra is a Valley native, graduating from Edinburg High School and the University of Texas-Pan American with a degree in business management. His four children were all raised in the 4-H and FFA worlds and are all Texas A&M graduates. Guerra started in the registered cattle business in 1963 when his dad bought him a Red Angus bull calf for his first 4-H project. His family bred registered Red Angus, Red Brangus, registered Brahman and Simbrahs. His family owns Guerra Bros. registered cattle herds and the La Muneca brand. Guerra’s family has dedicated many hours to volunteerism, scholarships and raising money for their church, community, 4-H, FFA and several junior breed associations on a local, state and national level. Guerra has served on the boards of the Texas Club Calf Association, American Brahman Breeders Association and the Texas 4-H and FFA foundations. His son Victor is on the Texas FFA Foundation board and his daughter Laura is on the Texas 4-H Foundation board.