by Zachary Davis, Somervell County Texas A&M Agri-Life Agent
There’s a new face around the Somervell County Extension office this fall! Junior Garcia is interning this semester as part of his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Services and Development and Minor in Animal Science from Tarleton State University.
The world of agriculture and 4-H are not new to Garcia. He was involved in 4-H and FFA as well as sports and his church youth group. Growing up on his family’s small ranch outside of Mineral Wells made it easy for Garcia to develop a passion for agriculture. He started showing swine and cattle in 6th grade and they continued to be a vital part of his life until he graduated high school. As a freshman in high school he received the Star Greenhand award, a distinguished award for FFA freshman. He also received the Outstanding Senior award through Mineral Wells FFA his senior year. Also playing varsity football and baseball along with being a key part to his FFA’s livestock judging team where he received numerous Top 5 placing awards in the district and area livestock judging contests which helped pave his way to college.
Upon graduation, Garcia attended Howard College in Big Spring TX, where he was on scholarship as a member of their Intercollegiate Livestock Judging team. After a successful judging career at Howard College, he transferred to Tarleton State University to further his education and be closer to home. He was on the judging team at Tarleton for a semester but eventually switched his concentration from judging to raising and selling show cattle. While finishing his undergrad at Tarleton he helped his siblings and family with their show projects along with managing his own small herd of show influenced cows.
Garcia says he hopes to learn the ins and outs of being an Extension Agent as well as being a part of the community. He says agriculture played a big part in becoming the person he is today and hopes he too can make a difference in the youth of agriculture.
Garcia is currently in his internship until December of 2015. Upon graduation he has aspirations to find a job in extension and continue to raise quality show stock for the youth of Texas.