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 department. Ms. Merritt Weeks was his Hullabaloo U instructor, and this is where he was introduced to Dr. Ed Rister and the Dianne and M. Edward Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. He wanted to join because he felt confident that this was a program where he could apply the knowledge learned in his other classes. 

Going to iconic dance halls such as Billy Bob’s and Hurricane Harry’s, Garner has always had a strong love for music.  Hoping to channel his passion for country music, Garner chose a dancehall venue for his AGEC 425 project. Circle M Dance Hall, located in Kerrville, Texas, will serve as a concert venue and bar on non-concert weekends. He also hopes to use the space to host corporate events.  One of the biggest challenges he has faced throughout the project has been figuring out accurate numbers. He says a lot of his project work  has included research, because he can find rough estimates- but struggles to find exact numbers for lines, such as property and building costs. One thing he has discovered is that there will be major upfront costs for this business if he chooses to pursue it. 

Garner believes that Dr. Risters class is designed to push students out of their comfort zone and he is very appreciative of it. One way he has been pushed out of his comfort zone has been the Prof-for-a-Day dinners, stating that “attending dinners with leading professionals in different industries has helped me become more well-rounded”. One of Garners favorite dinners was with Colton Bubela, because they have similar businesses and Garner enjoyed speaking with him. Bubela was also able to help Garner at the spring Kathi and Murray Edwards ’73 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Mentoring Forum. 

Since being at Texas A&M, Garner has been involved in multiple organizations on campus. He served as an officer for his men's organization, Aggie Vanguard. He also is a teaching assistant for Assistant Professor of Practice- Troy Thompsons in his AGEC 324 class. Additionally, he is involved in the Agriculture Economics Society and Aggie Reps. Aggie Reps promotes events for both prospective and current students in the department. Garner has especially enjoyed Aggie Reps because of the people he has met and the professional opportunities it has offered him.

 As of now, Garner does not plan to pursue his business due to the amount of upfront capital it would require. After graduation in December, he is considering pursuing a Masters in Agricultural-Economics or Agribusiness, and then working. He says he would love to go work in an industry and then come back to teach later on, similar to Thompson. Garner will be competing in the 2025 Texas Farm Credit Symposium at the end of April.