Dear Farmer,

As a loyal customer, I am grateful for you and the other Texas farmers and ranchers who grow the fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that I buy and serve to my family. Each week, I know the shelves at my local grocery store will be stocked with a large variety of products with plenty of price, flavor and nutrition choices.

By Gene Hall

If you know where to look across America, you can locate one of the thousands of farms that have been in operation for more than 100 years—a Century Farm. I could have said “family farms” but that’s sort of redundant. More than 97 percent of all farms in the U.S. are run by families.

In Texas, there are more than 4,500 Century Farms recognized by what we call the Family Land Heritage (FLH) Program, administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). They are found in 237 of Texas’ 254 counties, led by Fayette County with 151.

By Mike Barnett

I truly love the concept behind Valentine’s Day. I hate trying to figure out what to get my sweetie. I’m sure many of you are in the same boat.

You’re on the farm and ranch, too busy to think of those little things—like a beautiful Valentine for the love of your life—that will keep you inside where it’s warm and toasty and out of the doghouse where it’s cold and damp.

If you’re like me, discount the usual. Flowers make her nose run. Sweet treats fill the bill for many, but she may blame you for the side effects. Jewelry is expensive.

By Gene Hall

Dick Wallrath’s generosity to FFA and 4-H is the stuff of legends.

The top individual donor by far to these organizations, Wallrath knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom. He also understands the power of forgiveness, faith and hard work to heal the scars of addiction and pain.

Wallrath beat alcoholism and went on to establish Champion Windows, which became phenomenally successful. When he decided to give back to his country and state, he did so in a big way. His gifts to these organizations total more than $16 million.

By Mike Barnett

I am amazed that the inflexible ideology of an animal rights group could be the death warrant for the endangered species they profess to protect. That was the take home message for me from a 60 Minutes segment about the Texas exotic game industry.

Three species of antelope endangered or extinct in their native African homes—the scimitar horned oryx, the addax and the dama gazelle—are thriving here due to the efforts of Texas landowners who have found a steady source of income breeding these exotics for trophy hunts.

By Gene Hall

I am a huge fan of the “redneck” comedian Jeff Foxworthy.  I run the gamut from chuckle to guffaw when listening to his “you might be a redneck” routine, even if I’ve heard them before.  My own neck is a bit on the reddish side.

I hope Jeff doesn’t mind me paraphrasing his formula when it comes to which and what kind of farmers and ranchers are considered BIG AG, a term so many activists consider agriculture’s ultimate evil.