From Vineyards To Ventures: Madison Murchison’s Inspiring Journey

Madison Murchison's path from 4-H presentations to Director of Operations for Farmhouse Vineyards in Texas Hill Country is a testament to perseverance and passion. Her time in the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program helped her turn a vineyard dream into tangible experience, while her adaptability led her to shape the future of online learning for AGEC 425. This is the story of how Madison continues to grow, both personally and professionally, in pursuit of her place in the Texas wine industry.

From FFA to AGEC 425: Sowing the Seeds of Entrepreneurship

Growing up south of Austin in a family of farmers, Madison Murchison was immersed in agriculture from an early age. Her active involvement in 4-H and FFA sparked a curiosity for emerging industries in agriculture. Through presentations on innovative topics like drones and grape growing, she explored new possibilities for her family's land. Her grape-growing project even reached the State Roundup 4-H competition, where judges admired her vision but doubted its financial feasibility. This feedback only fueled Madison's determination to learn more.

At Texas A&M, Madison majored in Agricultural Economics, earning certifications in enology and event planning. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, where she turned her vineyard dream into reality through her AGEC 425 project, Hawk’s Nest Vineyards (located in Brownfield, TX). The financial challenges of running a vineyard on 60 acres were real, but the project helped her build a network of mentors and industry connections. She also landed a scholarship tied to the Texas Hill Country Wineries organization which helped grow her “personal Board of Directors.”

Adapting and Thriving: The Transition to Online Learning

Madison's dedication and enthusiasm earned her a teaching assistant role for Dr. Rister's courses. She was in the last class to complete everything on paper before COVID-19 forced a rapid shift to online learning. Madison played a pivotal role in bringing AGEC 425 into the virtual space, setting up Canvas courses, coordinating virtual forums, and ensuring the program's continued success in the digital learning environment. Her expertise in online course development became invaluable, and she continued her role working for the program remotely from Lubbock, TX upon graduation.

Planting Roots in the Texas Wine Industry

After marrying and moving to Lubbock while her husband attended law school, Madison explored her creative side with a small craft business. However, she quickly realized turning hobbies into work could drain her passion. Her connections through Texas Hill Country Wineries led to an unexpected opportunity: managing a tasting room for Farmhouse Vineyards. She worked two weeks on, two weeks off for about a year.

In May 2024, Madison and her husband relocated to Johnson City (TX), where she is now the Director of Operations for Farmhouse Vineyards. She manages the hill country tasting room, wine club, operations, and off-site events. Through her hands-on experience and industry involvement, she discovered that her strengths and interests lie more in the business side of viticulture than manual labor farming. She’s using this time to build her industry knowledge and refine her skills, while enjoying small town life in Johnson City.