Titus Co. ag producer honored as top 'Young Farmer, Rancher'

By DAVY MOSELEY | East Texas Edition

Jerry Moody didn't set out to be involved in production agriculture, but today the young farmer and rancher is involved in poultry and beef production at his Titus County farm. Above, Moody feeds one of the family's friendly cows as wife Deanna and daughters Carley and Jacey watch. -Staff photo by Moseley

January 3, 2002 -- As the number of America's farmers and ranchers continue to dwindle, Farm Bureau is doing their part to encourage the younger generation of ag aficionados.

Jerry Moody, 32, a Titus County cattle and broiler producer is this year's recipient of Texas Farm Bureau's Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Award.

Moody was honored during Texas Farm Bureau's 68th annual meeting Dec. 2-5 in Waco. The Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Award honors young leaders of agriculture and recognizes the hard work and determination needed to succeed when starting out in the challenging business of agriculture.

Moody, a first-generation farmer, is originally from Texarkana and came to Mount Pleasant nine years ago after finishing college.

Moody majored in ag economics at Texas A&M and never expected to be involved in production agriculture. While in college, Moody met his bride-to-be, Deanna Maxton, a Titus County native who had a broad ag background and had been around chickens most of her life.

"I really like the chicken business. It's been good to us," he said. "I've really enjoyed the opportunity to work for myself. It can be trying at times, but we understood that going into it," said Moody who grows broilers for Pilgrim's Pride.

The Moodys got their first birds in June 1997. Today, they have six broiler houses and run six flocks a year. At 135,000 birds per flock, that is a lot of chickens.

In addition to the broilers, Moody runs 50 head of beef cattle, and is in a partnership on 200 more.

Moody is the second Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Award recipient from Titus County. Brian Betts was the first recipient several years ago, according to Moody.

Three years junior to the 35-and-under age limit for the award, Moody said this is the first year he even applied for the award.

"I never dreamed I would be in farming. I always thought I'd be in some kind of ag sales," Moody said. "I really wasn't expecting to get as far is I have. I was tickled just to get to the district level," Moody said. "The other finalists were just as qualified as I was. I really don't know why they picked me over them."

As winner, Moody receives the following prizes: title to a 2002 Dodge Ram 3/4-ton quad cap pickup with a Cummins diesel engine, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Company; 150 hours use of a Case tractor, courtesy of Case-IH; a plaque and belt buckle, courtesy of Am-Pac; a $500 cash reward, courtesy of Dodge Trucks; and a $300 gift certificate to Grainger Industrial Supply, courtesy of Grainger.

Following the state win, Moody said he wanted to give credit to some very special people in his life.

"I want to thank my wife Deanna for putting up with all you have to put up with being a farmer's wife," he said.

"There's no doubt about it, I've had two real good role models. My dad, James Moody, taught me a good work ethic, how to manage finances and to be responsible," Moody said. "My father-in-law, James Maxton, helped me get started in farming, and taught me a great deal about chickens and cattle."

Moody said he is comforted that his young girls, Jacey, 6, and Carley, 4, will get to experience first-hand the production end of agriculture.

"They'll always know what it takes to grow food. They will always be a spokesperson for agriculture no matter what they do. That is important to me because we need every friend we can get out there. People just don't know what it takes (to supply them with food) anymore."

For the next step in the competition, the Moodys will travel to Reno, Nev., in January to compete in the American Farm Bureau Federation Achievement Award competition.

Moody has been a Titus County Farm Bureau board member for five years, and will chair the Farm Bureau young farmer and rancher advisory committee.

"Farm Bureau is more than just an insurance company. They work to get people involved in agriculture. I support that."

Looking to the future, Moody said he will continue to be involved in Farm Bureau. He also plans on expanding his cattle operation and making improvements to his six broiler houses - the maximum number Pilgrim's Pride will allow a single grower to operate.