MCEP Allows Grain Leaders to Tour Texas Agriculture

October 22, 2024
Contact: Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Farmers and association executives from diverse regions across the nation will get a unique opportunity to observe cotton and other agricultural operations in West Texas on October 20-25, as part of the National Cotton Council's (NCC) Multi-Commodity Education Program (MCEP).

Launched in 2006, the MCEP is coordinated by NCC's Member Services, local leaders and organizations. The program is supported by The Cotton Foundation with a grant from John Deere.

The exchange is designed to offer participants: 1) a better understanding of production challenges faced by their peers in different geographic regions and 2) an opportunity to observe agronomic practices, technology utilization, cropping patterns, marketing strategies and operational structure. Additional benefits include fostering dialogue among American farmers, regardless of their crops or locations, and building strong and lasting relationships between this nation's current and future producer leaders.

The 2024 tour's producer participants include: Idaho - Sydney Anderson, Nampa; Ashley and Jake Ozburn, both of Soda Springs; Iowa - Pat Swanson, Ottumwa; Maryland - Jake Westin, Laurel; Minnesota - Mike Gunderson, Bejou; Jim Kukowski, Strathcona; Montana - Ken and Cindy Johnson, Conrad; Nathan Keane, Lorna; Steve Sheffels, Great Falls; Nebraska - Ken Boswell, Shickley; Ohio - Scott Ruck, Wooster; Washington - Mary Sullivan, Valleyford.

After an NCC orientation on October 20, the participants will spend the next day in Lubbock at Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. for an overview of that organization and High Plains cotton production. They also will visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Cotton Division facility, and end the day with a visit to Verett Farms in Ralls for a look at cotton harvesting and irrigation.

On October 22, the participants will be briefed on upland cotton ginning at United Cotton Growers in Levelland, before traveling to Maple where they will learn about roller ginning extra-long staple cotton at Maple Coop Gin. The group will then go to Morton for a tour of Barker Research Farm to observe regenerative research on irrigated and non-irrigated cropland. The day's activities conclude at Lov-Cot Cotton Warehouse in Lubbock.

The next day, the group will travel to Bayer Southern Production Company in Lubbock for a presentation on planting seed processing and then learn about water conservation on the Texas High Plains at the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District. The day wraps up with a briefing at Birdsong Peanuts in Brownfield, followed by a tour of Farmhouse Vineyards. During the tour, the group will learn about grape and black-eyed pea production, as well as peanut harvesting.

On the 24th, the group will travel to Plains Cotton Cooperative Association to hear presentations on cotton merchandising. They will then learn about cottonseed processing and marketing at PYCO Industries. The tour will conclude with visits to Olson Farms in Plainview and FiberMax Center for Discovery Museum in Lubbock.