Calvert, Texas, is among the smallest and lowest income towns in the state, and Calvert High School nearly had its agricultural courses cancelled due to a teacher transferring to another school.
However when Terri Trevino, a farm loan manager with the Texas Farm Service Agency, learned about the threatened curriculum, she decided to take action.
She developed a program of study and procured volunteers from Texas A&M University, community businesses and the FSA to instruct. Trevino also played a significant role in convincing the president of Enterprise Bank, Herman Duhr, to donate money to send the students to Washington, D.C., to meet with government agriculture employees.
Trevino spoke to the official USDA blog about rejuvenating the agricultural program at the high school, located in the same county where she has lived for 12 years.
"We didn’t want to see the program suspended,” she said.
As result of her and the community's efforts, a group of seven students were able to meet with USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and tour the department's media center.
For those considering or already engaged in a career in agriculture, John Deere supplies equipment for working and caring for the land. Farm equipment for sale includes combines, tractor parts and Gator utility vehicles.
Texas high school seniors travel to nation's capital to speak with USDA officials
A tractor is one example of the equipment John Deere offers aspiring and current agricultural workers.