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Texas Agriculture Archive

September 20, 2002

AgLead seed bears fruit

TFB's leadership training program shows impressive results...

By Lana Robinson
Field Editor

Emphasis on youth and leadership has long been a tenet of Texas Farm Bureau, recognizing that seeds planted will ultimately yield a harvest of promising leaders for agriculture and the state's largest general farm organization. One of TFB's programs for grooming leaders, AgLead, continues to prepare the cream of the crop for important roles in agriculture and related industries. Regan Beck of Eden is one of AgLead's latest success stories.

Beck was recently appointed by the United States Department of Agriculture to chair the agency's National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee. The NWS operates under USDA/APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). The committee provides advice and guidance to the NWS and the Secretary of Agriculture on issues pertaining to wildlife. TFB's Associate Director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities Don Petty explained how the appointment came about.

"We were approached by American Farm Bureau Federation and told that a position was open on that national advisory committee. They asked if we could recommend someone qualified to assume that role. One of the first people that came to mind to serve was Regan Beck, because of his deep Farm Bureau involvement and his experience as a goat producer and wildlife manager," Petty recalled.

NWS selection process

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman wrote the actual recommendation letter that went to USDA/APHIS with Beck's application. Beck was subsequently selected, a-long with 12 to 15 other people from across the nation, to serve a two-year term on the committee. Their first meeting was in June 2002 in Greenbelt, Md.

"We had on that committee several catfish producers, several representatives of environmental groups, and the Humane Society," said Beck. "It was an interesting meeting. Of particular concern are animal and human conflicts. I've heard that some of the meetings in the past were very tense and very volatile. This one was not that way at all."

According to Beck, the committee discussed a number of issues in the June meeting. One proposal under consideration was the value of neutering coyotes and releasing them as a long-term solution to predator control. Safety issues regarding NWS bait drops for canine rabies in West Texas and the Canadian border, as well as issues related to raccoon rabies in Florida, were also topics of discussion.

Farm Bureau involvement

Even before Beck, a goat and cattle producer, emerged from a two-year AgLead III program in 1998, he put his talents to work for Farm Bureau, serving in various offices locally in Concho County and on state committees, including TFB's State Resolutions Committee (1997), Sheep and Goat Advisory Committee (1996 to 1999), Animal Health Advisory Committee (1997 to 1999), and Natural Resource Advisory Committee (2000 to 2001).

"The reason I think so much of Farm Bureau is they follow through with what they say they're going to do. That has gained my respect, and I associate that with the Farm Bureau name. It has really influenced me quite a bit, being involved, " said Beck.

Vernie Glasson, executive director of the Texas Farm Bureau, recognized leadership qualities in Beck early on.

"Regan is one of those individuals who has what I call `presence' about him," said Glasson. "You notice him right off and then he delivers when it comes to saying or doing the right thing. Once you meet him, you are immediately and favorably impressed and you know that he is a man you want on your side."

Biographical sketch

Beck earned his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas in 1983 and worked as an engineer for General Dynamics in Fort Worth for three years.

"But my path led me back to agriculture, my first love," Beck recalled. "I was able to go back into the family business and operate several ranches which have a combined land size total of over 15 square miles. During this time I have worked very diligently and successfully at modernizing and improving the land, the livestock, the marketing methods, and diversifying the profit centers. These efforts have allowed the ranching enterprise to stay consistently profitable, even during difficult economic times. While pursuing my business goals, I could see the sometimes adverse affects of government policy and international trade on agriculture, and the need for an organized, combined voice to address these issues. That's why I became a member of the Texas Farm Bureau."

Over the past 15 years, Beck has been active, not only in successfully operating and expanding his private business enterprise, but through his involvement in a variety of church, civic and business organizations, including service as president of the Concho Soil and Water Conservation District and the Concho County Farm Bureau for five years. Beck was also a director for the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association from 1990 to 2001. In 1993, he obtained his Masters of Business Administration at Angelo State University, San Angelo.

Beck attends UT law school

Beck's life recently took a dramatic turn. In July, he and his wife, Liz, left Concho County to return to his alma mater, UT, where he entered the University's law school this fall.

"With my experience in agriculture and with my interest in the law, which I have had from a very early age, I feel very strongly motivated to pursue a career as an attorney," said Beck. "The intellectual stimulus along with the ability to accomplish more for my family, and for those issues I care so deeply about, will allow me to be a very focused and effective attorney. With my knowledge of the issues that face agriculture, I feel I can be a voice for that segment of society that all of us depend on so much. I can make a difference, and would welcome the chance to do so."

From his participation in AgLead, Si Cook, TFB organization programs director and coordinator of the AgLead program, said it was evident that Beck has a very good grasp of agricultural issues.

"Regan is very open-minded and eager to learn what he can about all aspects of agriculture," said Cook. "Typically, ranchers in the program are not extremely interested in farming and vice versa. Regan had the foresight and interest to pay attention and absorb everything, whether it was a special breeding procedure, irrigation practices for farm land, politics, and of course, the leadership development program we went through. Regan is not a `one issue' person. And I guess the last thing you could say is this is a perfect example of what AgLead strives to do."

Cook said many people are under the impression that AgLead is a program that prepares leaders to serve on the Texas Farm Bureau state board. While some AgLead graduates may subsequently serve in that capacity, Cook said the program has a much broader scope and purpose for leadership development. He cited Regan Beck as an example of that.

"Regan is going to be a leader. It may not be in direct production agriculture, although he will continue to have his hand in agriculture to some degree, but he'll be using the leadership skills he developed, along with his agricultural knowledge, in his profession. It can't help but help agriculture down the road," said Cook, "and that is what AgLead is all about."

Terry Caffey of Eden, who assumed the post of Concho County Farm Bureau president when Beck stepped down earlier this summer in preparation for his move to Austin, has a great admiration for this dynamic young leader and expects great things to come.

"Regan has been a very, very positive figure, not only on the county level, but also at the state level in all the Farm Bureau activities. It's very pleasing to be able to look at the success he's had and the promotion of Farm Bureau, not only here—he's really kind of put Concho County on the map with regard to Farm Bureau—but beyond, because he is very well thought of in lots of circles," said Caffey. "I think his future is unlimited."

Obviously, Beck is strongly committed to agriculture, and although his operation will be scaled back, he will still run livestock on his ranch near Eden. In the mean time, he plans to tout the story of agriculture and it's importance wherever life may lead.

"The ability of the American farmer to produce in great enough quantities for our nation to be self-sufficient is a great strength for our country. The problems that could arise if we lose our domestic agriculture production, either to adverse government policies or to unfair foreign competition, could be enormous. The thought of American people going hungry because of foreign nations withholding food products makes our dependence on OPEC for oil pale by comparison," he said.