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

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.