A passion for agriculture, community and family earned three agricultural professionals recognition in the 2024 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contest.
The finalists in this year’s competition are Jacob and Laura Henson of Lingleville, Madalynn Kainer of Brenham and Jacob Spivey of Warren.
TFB’s EIA award recognizes young men and women ages 18 to 35 who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income from a farm or ranch enterprise.
“These young men and women play a vital role in supporting Texas agriculture,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Although they do not make their primary living on a farm or ranch, they serve the agricultural community and provide invaluable services. We appreciate their hard work and dedication.” Here is some information about the local finalists, Jacob and Laura Henson: Jacob started a construction company last spring specializing in remodels and trim work. Laura is an adjunct instructor and research associate in agricultural business at Tarleton State University.
As an instructor, Laura uses her agricultural background to share her experiences and inspire the next generation of agricultural communicators to grow their understanding of farm and ranch practices, agriculture’s role in sustainability and the need to do more with less.
The couple are part owners in a commercial cattle herd and help operate Laura’s family’s farm, white-tailed deer ranch and silage harvesting business. Together, they run a small business marketing agency and a growing fruit and vegetable operation. They sell tomatoes, squash, peaches, blackberries, peppers and other fruits and vegetables at area farmers’ markets. They also offer canned goods made from their produce.
Laura serves as the faculty advisor for the Tarleton Collegiate Farm Bureau and has held leadership roles with the Erath County Farm Bureau board of directors. The Hensons attend TFB events throughout the year and previously served on the TFB Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Advisory Committee.
They live in Lingleville with their daughter.
The winner will be announced at the TFB Annual Meeting Dec. 6-8 in Round Rock.