Don Smith of the Starr Ridge Community of Hopkins County has been involved in agriculture on the family farm for a number of decades. First in the dairy business, Don and his wife Marilyn began to shift to beef production in recent years. This week, Don was named to the 100-member Executive Committee of the Cattleman’s Beef Board, a part of the national Beef Checkoff Program. Because of his tireless service to organizations including Texas Beef Council, Texas Association of Dairyman, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Texas Farm Bureau and others since the 1980’s, his name came up for nomination. The committee selection process actually comes through the White House by the Secretary of Agriculture. Collectively, the members of the committee have backgrounds in and are involved in every aspect of agriculture in the US. Over the next few weeks, Don will be attending a number of meetings as new committee members learn about long-term beef promotion and research projects already in place. He and his wife plan to continue their ranching operation in Hopkins County and their support of local youth-in-agriculture organizations.
