Capital Farm Credit’s GROW your AgriRoots winners buzz, plant, raise and graze success
Four outstanding agribusinesses were honored recently as winners of Capital Farm Credit’s GROW your AgriRoots competition.
Winners were based on applicants’ agriculture, financial character, leadership, community involvement, continuing education, and sustainable business practices.
“We had an outstanding group of farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners apply for this year’s grants,” said Jeff Norte, president and CEO of Capital Farm Credit. “Whether you have been doing this for less than two years or nearly 10 years, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments.”
Awards were given in two categories – the Award category for farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owner-operators with two to 10 years of experience and the Grant category for eligible applicants with less than two years’ experience.
AWARD WINNERS
Caitlin and Kevin Book with Kevin Book Farms Kevin Book Farms is owned and operated in Waco by Kevin and Caitlin Book. Kevin is a sixth-generation farmer from Miles, and Caitlin is a third-generation farmer from Waco. The pair met at Texas A&M University where Kevin studied Agronomy, and Caitlin studied nursing.
The two were married in 2016. Kevin operated a cotton gin and grain elevator in Ballinger for eight years. During this time, Caitlin worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse in San Angelo. After the birth of their first child, Kevin and Caitlin made the decision to move to Waco to pursue their farming aspirations.
Since moving to Waco in May of 2020, their family has grown, along with their farming operation. They now have three precious children, and farm around 1,000 acres. Their farm grows cattle, corn, cotton and wheat in the Central Texas area.
Katherine Johnson and Shaun Maier Katherine Johnson and Shaun Maier are first-
generation ranchers, who raise registered Angus seed stock cattle and commercial beef cattle. They are working on developing a direct beef sales business line, with the goal of bringing high quality, local beef to the central Texas public.
By day, Katherine is a Certified Public Accountant, and Shaun is a software developer. Both bring a unique perspective to their ranch with a focus on profitability and new technologies. They continually seek the latest scientific research and keep extensive data to help make the best decisions for their herd and for beef quality. Always seeking growth and innovation, Katherine and Shaun hope to continue to expand their operations to sell beef in a retail store front in Navasota, TX.
GRANT WINNERS
Charlie Agar with Charlie Bee Company Beekeeper Charlie Agar manages 400 bee hives in and around the family homestead in Seguin, Texas where he and wife Kaye operate a mom-and-pop bee school, retail store and agritourism site on 15 acres. He is a past area director of the Texas Beekeepers Association and a volunteer mentor with the non-profit Hives for Heroes, which pairs combat veterans with beekeeping mentors.
Charlie has an eclectic background in adventure travel, media, and marketing, but it’s with bees and beekeeping that he has made his mark. He was awarded “Beekeeper of the Year” by the Texas Beekeepers Association in 2022 and his work with bees was featured in a TV series on PBS – Season 2 is set to launch soon!
Charlie and Kaye are excited to be settling into life on their new property and are working hard to make it a pollinator-friendly showcase that will be inviting for visitors from across the region for years to come.
Matt Barattino with Wild Texan Farm is a veteran with 13 years of military service, having served on active duty in the Air Force before transitioning to the Texas Air National Guard, where he continues to serve today.
In 2023, Matt, his wife, Lauriana, and their two young boys purchased Wild Texan Farm in Jourdanton, Texas, just south of San Antonio. Committed to rebuilding the ecosystem, they raise pasture-raised chickens, eggs, pork, and lamb, focusing on sustainable farming practices. A graduate of the Battle Ground to Breaking Ground program from Texas A&M AgriLife—a year-long training designed to assist military personnel transitioning into agriculture—Matt leverages his unique journey as a first- generation farmer to support other beginning farmers and veterans aspiring to enter the agricultural field.
His dedication extends beyond his own farm, as he actively works to help others make a successful transition into agriculture, embodying his passion for service and community.
The four winners each receive $10,000 and remaining finalists will each receive $1,000. Grant finalists were: Sammy Lam-Wanderlust Wine Co., Lyte Wave Holdings and Paul and Carina Exley. Award finalists were Baker's Acres, Tanner Cadra and Hutka Farms.