Originally from Corsicana, Texas, Garner Mickle ’26 is an Agriculture Economics(AGEC) student with a focus on Rural Entrepreneurship. He originally came to Texas A&M with the plan to major in Agribusiness. During his New Student Conference, he switched to AGEC, believing that he could concentrate more on the agricultural aspect of the degree through the… Read More →
AGEC 425 Program News
From Student to Mentor: Chloe Muzny’s Journey
Chloe Muzny ’20 immersed herself in business long before stepping on Texas A&M’s campus. She entered college with a determination to turn classroom lessons into real-world applications. She started working for her aunt and uncle in high school at Small Farm Innovations (SFI), a company specializing in compact balers and other farming equipment tailored to… Read More →
12 Days of Profs-for-a-Day: Abby Christian ’17 – Behind the Scenes at Giddy Up Glamour Boutique
Today we recap a special presentation from AGEC 425 Survivor Abby Christian ’17. Her real-world experience in the fashion and merchandising industry offered a new angle at where entrepreneurship can take you. Her story covers more than just running a business; it’s about navigating challenges, staying adaptable, and making a difference in the community. Meet… Read More →
12 Days of Profs: Phil Livengood – An Entrepreneurial Journey with Small Farm Innovations
Day four of our semester speaker recap brings us to local entrepreneur Phil Livengood. With a story of innovation and perseverance, Livengood gave the class insights into building a niche rural business from scratch. The Birth Of Small Farm Innovations Small Farm Innovations (SFI) began in 2006 in Caldwell, Texas, when Phil Livengood identified a… Read More →
12 Days of Profs: Lorenzo Gomez III – Deputizing your Personal Board of Directors
From bagging groceries to celebrated author, mentor, and entrepreneur, our next Pro-for-a-Day has done it all. Lorenzo Gomez joined us in class this year to share his story and talk about the importance of building your “personal board of directors,” investing in your reputation, and embracing opportunities.
12 Days of Profs: Randi Mays-Knapp ’79 – Manners as a Superpower
Randi Mays-Knapp ’79 joined us in class to remind students that technical skills are not all that goes into building a business. Your professional connections, personal image, and the way others perceive you can get you to the next level and boost your career. Known to the students as “Coach Knapp,” our next Prof-for-a-Day… Read More →
12 Days of Profs: Shay Iacoponelli ’91 – Empowering Entrepreneurs Through the SBDC
With a diverse background in the technology and banking industries, Shay Iacoponelli brings a wealth of business advice to the table. Currently serving at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Bryan, Texas, Shay shares her expertise in helping entrepreneurs succeed. As the first Prof-for-a-Day of the semester, she introduced the invaluable resources available to… Read More →
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Highlight: Rachel Cutrer ’01
“Give yourself a seat at the table. Believe in your abilities. Believe in what you can do . . . have that confidence to do it because you can.” Rachel Cutrer ’01 Rachel Cutrer ’01 is an inspiring leader in rural entrepreneurship whose story exemplifies resilience, passion, and the pursuit of dreams. Rachel’s journey from… Read More →
12 Days of Profs: Maggie Terry – Forging Your Own Path
Maggie Terry ’22 exemplifies the roll of an entrepreneurial spirit in the non-profit space. Being “too girly for agriculture & too agriculture for the girly girls”, she discovered her niche as the Events & Social Media Coordinator for the National Cowgirl Museum. College The journey began when Maggie “rolled up to college in a Ford… Read More →
Two days of mentoring for AGEC 425 Students
March 15, 2024 In February, AGEC 425 students participated in two days of the Spring mentoring forum. More than 90 entrepreneurs and business leaders also participated in the Kathi & Murray Edwards ’73 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Mentoring Forum sessions that were held in person on Friday, February 16, and virtually, Friday, February 23. During these two… Read More →