McLennan County producer named 'Man of Year in Texas Agriculture'

From staff Reports

McLennan County agribusinessman Vince Neuhaus receives TCAAA top award. -- Staff photo

July 21, 2005 - For his dedication to agriculture, Vince Neuhaus received the "Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture" award from the Texas County Agriculture Agents Association during the group's annual conference.

TCAAA met in Odessa July 11-13, and honored six individuals with the award, including Country World Editor Lori Cope.

Neuhaus was cited as "a very deserving individual" to receive the award from the District 8 Texas Cooperative Extension agents. He has been involved in agriculture his whole life, and the last 27 years has been in McLennan County. He owned Brazos Valley Equipment, a John Deere dealership, that served Central Texas for 24 years, and has since sold the business to his son Brent.

Neuhaus, now a full-time row crop farmer and beef producer, is involved in many Extension and other ag-related organizations such as McLennan County Extension Crops Committee, Blackland Income Growth Conference Executive Board (including serving as chairman), Waco Chamber of Commerce AG Committee, Waco Farm and Ranch Club, and the McLennan County Junior Livestock Board.

"He has been a staunch supporter of Texas Cooperative Extension for many years in the county and Central Texas," the awards program recorded, "and has supported youth in McLennan County by being one of the volunteers at the Junior Livestock Show."

Neuhaus has also provided his crop land for demonstrations and trials for many years.

Interested in promoting ethanol production in Central Texas, Neuhaus is involved with feasibility studies through the Central Texas AG Development Board.

Upon receiving the award during the TCAAA's Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture banquet, on July 12, Neuhaus stressed the importance of getting young people involved in agriculture.

He was joined at the banquet by wife Suzanne. They have three children, and four grandchildren. Neuhaus grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master's degree from Oklahoma State University.

Also at the banquet, Cope, of Hopkins County, received the award for Texas Cooperative Extension District 4. She was cited for "her personal dedication and effort in keeping the public informed and updated on agricultural issues" through the three Country World editions (Northeast, Central, and South Central regional publications). She was raised on a farm in Delta County, and she and her husband have operated a dairy, and a hog farm, but now raise beef cattle.

Cope, who serves on the Hopkins County Program Council and was their 1999 Supporter of the Year, said, "The message of "If you eat, you are involved in agriculture" means a lot to me. I like the fact that in my job I can help spread this message to the general public, and provide information that's useful to the ag producer."

Other award winners recognized at the July 12 banquet were Tommy Womack of Swisher County (District 2); George "Tee" Knox of Martin County (District 6); Rep. Carter Casteel of Comal County (District 10); and Ed Ritchie of Zavala County (District 12).

At the conclusion of the banquet, Dr. Ed Smith, Extension director and associate vice chancellor, congratulated this year's award winners. "There are thousands of volunteers within Texas Cooperative Extension, and you've chosen these six to recognize them for their leadership. They are to be commended."