Justin and Maddie Cave

Justin Cave

Ackerly, Texas

Flower Grove Coop Gin

Fourth Generation Farmer

Married to Maddie Cave

Texas Tech University – Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, Master of Science in Crop Science

Biggest Influence:Kevin Cave, Father

Favorite Part of Farming: All of it. One of the most fulfilling things is seeing something come from nothing. You plant it, watch it grow, and it turns into a crop you can be proud of.

Biggest Lesson Learned:Nothing is guaranteed, and farming is not cheap. I’ve had to be patient and to have faith that the next year will be better.

Cole Schwartz

Cole Schwartz

Garden City, Texas

Glasscock Co. Coop

Fifth Generation Farmer

Texas Tech University – Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science

Biggest Influence: Jody Schwartz, Father

Favorite Part of Farming: I like being my own boss and making decisions for my own operation.

Biggest Lesson Learned: It’s impossible to not be in debt when starting out, but try to learn as much as possible and you’ll be okay.

Ariel, Jacy, Justin and Amber Corzine

Justin Corzine

Stamford, Texas

Farmers Cooperative Society Gin of Stamford

Fifth Generation Farmer

Married to Amber Corzine

Angelo State University – Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Minor in Agronomy and Range/ Wildlife Management

Biggest Influence:Keith Corzine, Father

Favorite Part of Farming: The work, lifestyle, and the process of raising crops. I love that I can have time with family, too.

Biggest Lesson Learned: You really have to learn to conserve and manage your money because it does cost a lot of money to operate the farm from one year to the next.

Ryan Heinrich

Ryan Heinrich

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Star Coop Gin

Fourth Generation Farmer

West Texas A&M University – Bachelor of Science in Plant and Environmental Soil Sciences, Minor in Agribusiness

Biggest Influence: Eric Heinrich, Father

Favorite Part of Farming: Harvest

Biggest Lesson Learned:Always seek out solutions to problems, and never take the easy way out.

Carley Jo, Cody, Amy and Caleton Hughes

Cody Hughes

Roscoe, Texas

Central Rolling Plains Coop

Fifth Generation Farmer

Married to Amy Hughes

Tarleton State University – Bachelor of Science Agricultural Services and Development

Biggest Influence: Willis, father, and George Hughes, grandfather, and Henry Parrott, neighbor.

Favorite Part of Farming: Harvest

Biggest Lesson Learned: Some of the best plans are no plans at all.

Brandon, Madison, Caroline and Katie Laffere

Brandon Laffere

Uvalde, Texas

Winter Garden Coop Gin

Fifth Generation Farmer

Married to Katie Laffere

Texas A&M University – Bachelor of Science in Geology

Biggest Influence: Charles “Bo” Laffere, Father and Leslie H. Laffere, Grandfather

Favorite Part of Farming: Managing the crops from start to finish.

Biggest Lesson Learned: It’s not always about growing the best crop. It’s also about where to spend money, what tools to use, and how you sell the crop.