Country Lifestyles
Profile on Rayford Pullen
By staff writer Jessica Bartel
NTFR’s own contributing writer, Rayford Pullen, was recently appointed the distinct privilege of president of the Texas Angus Association, an honor that was awarded
to a deserving person. Pullen has been in the cattle industry all his life, and with wife Carla has maintained an active role in production agriculture. Pullen’s family was living in Terrell, TX, at the time of his birth. The closest hospital, where Pullen was born, was in Royce City, TX. He was raised in Greenville, TX, graduated high school
from Honey Grove, TX, and later obtained a degree in Animal Science from Texas A & M.
Pullen’s background was filled with agriculture. He said at the time everyone was involved in agriculture, both his parents and grandparents. His father Rayford Pullen Sr. was in the cattle business. That is where Pullen’s love of cattle began. Pullen has always been involved in agriculture, from being in production agriculture to working as the Montague County Extension Agent for 25 years. In that time Pullen said, “I learned so much. The people of Montague County were great teachers!”
After his role as Montague County extension agent ended in 2002, it became more apparent Angus cattle was the way to go. He and wife Carla made the change and said it was a good decision for several reasons.
To read more pick up the March 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
Country Lifestyles
Emma Harvey- Miss USA Agriculture
Watauga, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, is known for its rich history as a railroad stop, but over the course of the last year, one teen girl has put it on the map for agriculture as well. Emma Harvey has lived in Tarrant County her entire life. Despite being highly involved in her local 4-H chapter, she still felt there was more she could do. In the spring of 2023, she stepped up to the plate to take over the title of Tarrant County Teen Miss Agriculture USA.
“It all started when I put in an application for the teen title here in Tarrant County,” explained Harvey.
The Miss Agriculture USA program is a national non-profit, age-inclusive pageant program that offers both competition and non-competition titles to women dedicated to the promotion of agriculture.
Read more in the October issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available online and in print. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive NTFR in your inbox each week.
Photo by Hannah Claxton.
Country Lifestyles
Parting Shot: The Rythmn of Daily Life
By: Jelly Cocanougher
A delicate balance of hard work and nature’s ever-present influence. Even though there are a handful of skilled men working a set of pens, there is always a brave calf to cause a bit of a ruckus. Carefully con- veyed to the ground, the calf gets worked and set off to on a journey of growth. Cowboys understand that the dealings of unpredictable nature such as this young calf is part of the journey. Prowling the pastures for green grasses and hay so sweet, the calf is released back into the pastures, able to roam and be drawn to the nutritious offerings of the land.
Country Lifestyles
Shopping Frenzy
By: Bryce Angell
I drove to Sportsman’s Warehouse. Thought I’d buy a brand-new cap. My mistake was walking through the doors. They had me in their trap. I’m not talking ‘bout a mouse trap. Snares his nose and won’t let go. I’m alluding to the shopping trance. Why couldn’t I say no?
I grabbed a cart and made a beeline to a hat filled crate.
But switched gears to a sign that read, “Fifty dollar bag rebate.” Below the rebate sign were sleeping bags hung in a row.
One sleeping bag was rated down to 45 below.
The floor attendant tempted me. “It’s the best sale of the year!”
I had to have the 45 below with all my gear.
The bag was extra heavy. Totaled nearly twenty pounds.
But I stuffed it in my shopping cart. I had to make more rounds.
I was feeling so elated with my brand-new sleeping bag.
I wasn’t checking prices. That would surely raise a flag.
I pushed on past the hats and caps. Found a Levi coat to wear.
I didn’t need another but it’s good to have a spare.
I bought a pair of mittens that I doubt I’ll ever use.
I’ll save ‘em for my wife in case we take a winter cruise.
I purchased ammunition. That is when I heard the cue.
I had too many bullets for a single .22.
So, I bought another rifle. What the heck, it’s just one more. Then I moved on with my frenzy, hadn’t covered all the floor. Aha! My eyes beheld a sight designed for all to see.
A brand-new shiny wall tent that would soon belong to me.
I grabbed a wood stove for my tent to sleep warm through the night. Then I realized my purchases were climbing out of sight.
We totaled up my plunder. I was surely caught off guard.
Two thousand fifty dollars, I said, “Put it on my card.”
I’d spent a ton of money with no permission from my wife. Should I give my wife the rebate? Fifty might just save my life. Although I’ve never learned to save, for sure a shopping sap. But, this time I saved ten dollars ‘cuz I didn’t buy a cap.
-
Country Lifestyles2 years ago
Scott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Country Lifestyles8 years ago
Style Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
HOME8 years ago
Grazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Equine1 year ago
The Will to Win
-
Country Lifestyles5 years ago
Amber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
Outdoor9 years ago
Buttercup or Primrose?
-
Country Lifestyles8 years ago
December 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way
-
Country Lifestyles8 years ago
June 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman