Two South Central Texans, CW editor receive awards

From staff Reports

Ed Ritchie addressed the TCAAA crowd after receiving the group's "Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture" for District 12. Rep. Carter Casteel, who was unable to attend the association's conference due to Special Session, was also named "Person of the Year in Texas Agriculture," for District 10. -- Staff photo -Staff photo by

July 21, 2005 - For their dedication to agriculture, Ed Ritchie of Zavala County and Rep. Carter Casteel of Comal County received awards during the July 12 Texas County Agriculture Agents Association's "Man of the Year in Agriculture" banquet.

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

Ritchie, a watermelon and spinach grower in the Winter Garden region, was named "Man of the year in Texas Agriculture" for Texas Cooperative Extension's District 12. He was commended for contributing time, equipment, personnel, and dedication to Extension programs as a cooperator in results demonstration efforts. For the past six year, he has participated in the statewide watermelon variety trials, which have helped producers evaluate watermelon varieties and their adaptive potential in the region.

The producer also has been instrumental in supporting the introduction of new irrigation water conservation technologies, pointed out Zavala County Extension Agent Marcel Valdez who presented the award to Ritchie. "This open-minded and visionary approach has given area producers the opportunity to visit his operation through organized tours and field days, and help educate these irrigation producers about the importance of water-conserving technologies."

Ritchie participates in the Precision Irrigation Network (PIN), a cooperative efforts between Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and producers to demonstrate the importance of irrigation water management practices.

Cited as a farmer, owner, and operator in Maverick and Zavala counties, Ritchie is also the grower and shipper of Fresh Market Savoy Spinach.

In Zavala County, Ritchie is an active volunteer on the county's Junior Livestock Show Board, and is currently serving as president. He is an adult volunteer leader for 4-H, and a member of the Zavala County Extension Program Council, and Crops Committee.

"Mr. Ritchie is a true example of how local residents form unique partnership with Extension faculty to provide input in planning and delivering valuable and relevant educational programs for the people of Texas," Valdez added.

Rep. Casteel was cited for holding on to "her West Texas roots in supporting agriculture; not only in District 73, but across the state." Casteel, who was elected in January 2003 to represent the state's 73rd district, was honored as "Person of the Year in Texas Agriculture" for Extension's District 10. Because of the Texas Legislature's special session in Austin, the representative was unable to attend the banquet in Odessa.

She has been involved in numerous civic and community organizations, and continues to live by a principle instilled in her by her father: "Whatever you do, do it well."

Also at the banquet, Cope, of Hopkins County, received the award for Extension District 4. She was cited for "her personal dedication 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 has her husband have operated a dairy, and a hog farm, but now raise beef cattle.

Cope 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 producers. ... I am thankful I can generate my income from a job involved in agriculture, but is not depend on true agriculture production."

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); and Vince Neuhaus of McLennan County (District 8).

At the conclusion of the banquet, Dr. Ed Smith, 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."