Business » Farm and Ranch

Subscribe

South Texas Farm and Ranch Show kicks off its 25th year

25th South Texas Farm and Ranch Show kicks off

Jackson Morris, 2, peers from a Case IH tractor. Jackson attended the 2009 South Texas Farm and Ranch show with his father, Lee. Exhibitors show off the latest and greatest farming and ranching equipment at the 25th anniversary show at the Victoria Community Center Wednesday. The event continues Thursday until 6 p.m.
  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •
  • BY ALLISON MILES - AMILES@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published October 28, 2009 at 7:24 p.m., updated October 29, 2009 at 9:19 a.m.

  • South Texas Farm and Ranch Show Thursday schedule:

    6:30 a.m. :

    Registration and breakfast, Jaycee Hall, sponsored by First Victoria and Weber Motor Co., Cuero

    Registration and breakfast, Annex 1, 2, 3, sponsored by Goldman, Hunt & Nolz, LLP and ...

  • SHOW ALL »

    • South Texas Farm and Ranch Show Thursday schedule:

    6:30 a.m. :

    Registration and breakfast, Jaycee Hall, sponsored by First Victoria and Weber Motor Co., Cuero

    Registration and breakfast, Annex 1, 2, 3, sponsored by Goldman, Hunt & Nolz, LLP and Killebrew Chrysler Dodge Jeep

    7 to 10 a.m.:

    Cattlemen's College: Range Management Strategies, Jaycee Hall

    Farming Issues, Annex 1 and 2

    7 a.m. to noon:

    Pesticide license training, Annex 3

    10 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

    Show exhibits open at dome, arena and grounds

    10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

    Pasture to Pyramid third-grade youth program, Jaycee Hall

    11 a.m. to noon:

    Fire ants and Crazy Ants, Annex 1

    Farming and Ranching for Carbon Credits, Annex 2

    Noon to 1 p.m.:

    Luncheon: Food, Biofuels and Climate: How Can Agriculture Survive, Annex 1,2,3

    1 to 2 p.m.:

    Tapping the Resource: Q&A with Dennis Avery, Annex 3

    2 to 3 p.m.:

    Pesticide Complaints and the Investigation Process, Annex 2

    Pesticide license testing, Annex 3

It was a cold and rainy January 1982 when a group of near strangers met up, said Kay Waida, a committee member for the South Texas Farm and Ranch Show.

"And we sat there in a room . looking at each other," she said. "Someone said, 'Victoria's thinking about having a farm show. What do you think?'"

Now, 25 years later, the rest is history.

The South Texas Farm and Ranch Show kicked off its silver-anniversary event Wednesday with a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony at the Victoria Community Center.

Through its years in operation, the show hosted more than 3,100 booths, given more than $87,000 in scholarships and contributed more than $2.6 billion in economic impact to the Coastal Bend region, said Gary Loest, the 2009 show's chairman.

"It really is a great thing we have it here," he said.

The show is something agriculturists look forward to annually, said Donnie Montemayor, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service's district extension administrator for the Coastal Bend.

Montemayor worked as an area extension agent for 20 years and said he enjoyed learning about new products and services through the show, as well as the fellowship it offers.

"This is a historic event," Montemayor said. "There's nothing like this in the whole area."

Opening day included a morning ribbon-cutting and cake, more than 200 booths and presentations, including identifying and managing insects around the home, rainwater harvesting and climate change. State Rep. Geanie Morrison presented a proclamation, while Loest presented a proclamation from Victoria County Judge Don Pozzi.

Rebecca Braeuer said she was impressed by the number of booths spread throughout the arena.

"I'm surprised," said Braeuer, who ranches in Gonzales and Lavaca counties with her husband, Ron Braeuer. "I didn't expect this much with the economic times."

Ron Braeuer said he noticed fewer booths than in previous years, but said the show's quality was still good.

Brother-sister team Andrew and Faith Barton stood among those behind the concessions counter, ready to serve barbecue sandwiches, chips and a soda or two. They got involved to earn 4-H service hours, said Andrew, 8.

"It's fun work, though," he said. "I think doing the money is my favorite part. The Cokes are my favorite thing we sell."

This might be their first time helping, but 11-year-old Faith said she'd do it again.

"I like it," she said, peeking out from under her denim ball cap.


Sign Up
CLOSE

  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •