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Archives for November 2023

AGEC 425 Former Student Features

Ryan Shronk ’23 Grows a Sixth-Generation Legacy with Planting Seeds Farms

Ryan Schronk ’23, from Hillsboro, Texas, is continuing his family legacy as a sixth-generation Schronk farmer by taking over and leading the operations of the farm. Driven by a passion for agriculture, Ryan stands as a beacon of generational legacy and entrepreneurial spirit through his company, Planting Seeds Farm. Ryan double-majored in Agricultural Economics and… Read More →

November 28, 2023

Benjamin Billings standing on heavy machinery
AGEC 425 Former Student Features

Benjamin Billings ’18 crafting landscapes and legacies through creative ranchscape designs

Feature story written by Luke Caverlee ’26, Student Program Assistant, Electrical Engineering Major Benjamin Billings ’18 is from Cypress, Texas, and is an Agricultural Economics-Rural Entrepreneurship major. Benjamin is a proud third-generation Aggie. As a freshman at A&M, Benjamin began his studies as a mechanical engineer. However, by the end of the year, he knew… Read More →

November 15, 2023

trophy horn sheep
AGEC 425 Former Student Features

Cullen Sherrill ’23: Strike3Farms Owners Capitalize on Niche Hunting Market

Feature story written by Taylor O’Brien ’24, Student Program Assistant, Agribusiness major Cullen is a senior Agricultural Economics major from Cypress, Texas. He co-owns Strike3Farms, a trophy horn sheep breeding operation, with his twin brother, Tanner Sherrill. Together, they breed Painted Desert, Texas Dall, Black Hawaiian and Corsican sheep. They focus on superior Texas genetics,… Read More →

November 7, 2023

Colt Kokel headshot
AGEC 425 Former Student Features

Colt Kokel ’14: From Rural Entrepreneur of the Year to Loan Committees

Colt Kokel ’14 received the highest AGEC 425 honor in 2013 when he was recognized as the AGEC 425 Rural Entrepreneur of the Year during that year’s symposium. His business project when he was a student in the class was a real estate company. Today, Colt is working in the finance sector helping his clients… Read More →

November 3, 2023

Dr. Ed Rister
AGEC 425 Program News

AAEA recognizes Rister for distinguished teaching 

The Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) presented Dr. Ed Rister ’74 with the Distinguished Teaching Award, in the category of “Ten or more years’ undergraduate teaching,” during their annual meeting held in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. This award is based upon evidence provided in the following categories: quality of teaching; academic advising, counseling,… Read More →

November 1, 2023

Alex Valicek on heavy equipment
AGEC 425 Former Student Features

Alex Valicek constructs NOCO Services with expertise and economics

Feature story written by Taylor O’Brien ’24, Student Program Assistant, Agribusiness major About Alex Alex is from Houston, Texas. Already an AGEC 425 “Survivor,” he is currently a senior at Texas A&M with plans to graduate in December of 2023 with a degree in Agricultural Economics – Rural Entrepreneurship. Alex is also the president of… Read More →

November 1, 2023

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