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June 1, 2001
AgLead V group tours
Rio Grande Valley
The AgLead V group toured the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico in April.
The three-day excursion presented participants with opportunities to observe, listen, and learn from a variety of agribusiness leaders and industry officials regarding agricultural issues.
On day one, AgLeaders were given an overview of the region by Mike Blum, Rioco Realty & Michael J. Blum Company. John McClung, president and CEO of the Texas Produce Association, and Bobby Sparks, SRS Farms, discussed NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).
Dr. James Lenarduzzi, area director for the Texas Animal Health Commission, addressed state, national and international animal health issues. Present to explain local and international water issues was Jo Jo White, general manager of the Hidalgo & Cameron Irrigation District. U.S. Border Patrol agent Jesse Jimenez also spoke to the group.
Following dinner that evening, members of the AgLead delegation were offered tips during a presentation entitled "Interviews on Animal Health/Agricultural Issues Involving Local Media." Afterwards, participants held mock interviews to try out what they had learned.
Day two was a full day, beginning at the Texas Citrus Exchange at 8 a.m., a tour of the J&D Produce facility at 10 a.m., followed by afternoon stops at Southern Fields Aloe and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, Inc. The tour concluded at Brian Jones Farm, where the group shared an evening barbecue with local producers.
The next morning, the AgLead team started off with a visit to the Foreign Trade Zone, hosted by Eduardo Gonzales, director of Business Development. Other stops during the day included a visit with Robert Lopez, of the U.S. Customs Service, at Pharr Bridge; a tour of Export Pens in Reynosa, led by Dr. Juan Menchaca; and a tour of various Mexican agricultural operations, guided by Javier Garza.
Members of the AgLead group participating in the tour were: Gene Baker, Anson; Jeff Camp, Wellington; Gerard Hajovsky, LaGrange; Kevin Huffman, McGregor; Mark McCormick, Floydada; David Nelson II, Katy; Joe Rohrbach, Hereford; Shannon Roy Theeck, Washington; Charlie Thomas, Mabank; Cody Todd, Weatherford; Bill White, Friona; and Si Cook, TFB AgLead coordinator.
