Levelland’s Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee hosted the annual Hockley County Agricultural Appreciation Event on Wednesday at the Mallet Center and Arena.
Each year, the Ag Committee recognizes an outstanding individual who has made a lasting contribution to the agricultural industry.
The 2024 Agricultural Professional of the Year was introduced by Paxton Pugh with the award being presented to Cole Garner.
Garner is a fourth-generation farmer, born and raised right here in Levelland. Garner’s deepseated passion for the Ag industry began early and has shaped his life in many ways. From a young age, Garner pursued every opportunity to get involved. At just 9-years-old, he began his journey with 4-H, setting the stage for a lifelong commitment to agriculture. By 1978, at the age of 18, he was already actively farming.
His passion for the field led him to pursue a degree in crops from Texas Tech University, graduating in 1983. After college, Garner did not stop there. He launched Garner Insurance Agency and began working for the Hockley County Soil and Water Conservation District, where he was awarded the Outstanding Conservation Professional Individual Award.
He has served on multiple boards, including the High Plains Water District Board, the Hockley County Junior Livestock Show Board, the Hockley County Soil and Water District #129 Board, and the Lamb County Coop Electric Board. In addition to his leadership roles, Cole has a heart for giving back. He actively supports youth through their 4-H and FFA projects, volunteers for Ag Awareness Day, and contributes to the Wooley Boogers, an organization that raises funds to purchase lamb projects at the county stock show.
In his spare time, Garner raises cattle and trains reined cow, cutting, and rope horses. He is married to Debbie Garner, and together they have two children: Keva Nevall, who is married to Chase, and Steve Garner. Garner also cherishes the time he spends with his two grandchildren.
The event also featured a keynote speaker, as well as a shrimp boil prepared by members of the Ag Committee, the Chamber reported.
The speaker for the event was Jason Coleman, introduced by Kerry Siders.
Siders said Coleman has worked as manager of High Plains Underground Water Conservation District 1 since 2013 and has 14 years of work experience with the South Plains Underground Water Conservation District.
Coleman took attendees through the history of groundwater in Texas, from Spanish Colonial Texas through present day.
He said water wells were first drilled in the area for irrigation in the early 1900s, and a report in the ‘40s increased the understanding of the land.
The threat that groundwater would be declared public property and regulated out of Austin drove the people of the Plains to action over administrative questions. Ultimately, the first High Plains Underground Water Conservation district came about in 1951, Coleman said.
“People in our area have recognized the importance of conservation for a long time,” Coleman said.
Today, the speaker said close to 100 groundwater conservation districts are in Texas now, and regional water planning groups have started popping up since the ‘90s.
He said that there are challenges where districts are formed, but resources like an interactive map and one-on-one help in understanding changing conditions of water wells are available to those in the water district.
“I encourage you to be informed,” Coleman said, “and if you need any of those services, please let us know.”