Local Farmers Discuss the History and Future of Farming in South Texas

Mar 07, 2024

By Pamela Morales

The Museum of South Texas History is hosting three local farmers for the next Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “Farm Life in South Texas,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, in the Courtyard Gallery.

On the panel is Hector Pérez from Pérez Groves, a farm in northeast Edinburg, which sells a variety of lemons, oranges and tangerines. Pérez was born in Acámbaro Guanajuato, Mexico. He entered the Bracero Program in August of 1957 working for Aderhold Farms. Later in December 1964, he began working as a full-time farm worker then became the head foreman. In June 2000, Pérez became the owner of Pérez Groves, which he operates with the help of his sons.

The other two panelists are Thomas Padilla and Courtney Moore, each independently works on sustainability farming and techniques.

Padilla, born and raised in Weslaco, is one of the owners of “The Hour. Farm,” a privately-owned and family-run sustainable farm in Weslaco. The farm’s goals are to provide a healthy food supply for surrounding communities and seed bank, promote gardening and share techniques of best practices, successes and failures with the farming community. Currently, Padilla is also a local teacher helping students make connections between engineering, technology, agriculture and sustainability.

Moore runs the day-to-day operations of Rio Fresh, a Schuster family farm in San Juan, Texas. Established in 1970, the 4,000-acres farm promotes the rotation of nutrients from produce. The company also packs and ships directly to customers.

This panel will be moderated by Museum CEO Francisco Guajardo. Light refreshments will be served.

Sunday Speaker Series is included in the fee for regular museum admission. FRIENDS of MOSTHistory are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship and must present their FRIENDship card at the Admissions Desk.

This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community.

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Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.