Country Lifestyles
A Bright Piece of Holland in Texas
By Jessica Crabtree
When it’s spring time in Texas, we expect wildflowers of all colors lining the roads and country side, not to mention our state flower, the bluebonnet. In Pilot Point, just east off of Farm Market 2931, new colors are emerging—tulips!
Yes, you read that right, tulips! In fact there are tons of them in rows of all colors: reds, white, light pink, dark pink, multiple orange colors, yellows, deep purples and more!
As if their beauty isn’t enough, their scent is equally as gratifying. So how did these uncommon Texas beauties make their way here? That story begins 5,000 miles away in Holland, also known as the Netherlands.
Pieter and Petra Koeman operate Texas Tulips with Pieter’s mother, Afra and sister, Cora Bot-Koeman. Nearly 40 years ago Afra and her late husband Piet started a horticulture farm producing leeks, chrysanthemums, irises and tulip bulbs in Holland. Eventually the family operation turned to exclusively growing tulips bulbs in greenhouses and became known for their early-emerging tulips. Production of the bulbs increased to 80 acres and each winter the family grew tens of thousands of tulips. Those tulip bulbs were then sold for wholesale at auction to vendors. To read more pick up the March issue of NTFR.
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- Petra and Pieter Koeman. (Photo by Jessica Crabtree)
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- The Koeman family: Petra, Pieter Jr., Hillary and Pieter. (Courtesy photo)
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- The Koeman’s that started it all, Pieter and Afra Koeman. (Courtesy photo)
Petra and Pieter Koeman. (Photo by Jessica Crabtree)
By: Martha Crump
Most cattle producers can tell you quite a lot about balancing cattle diets for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals based on the specific needs for their herd and type of operation.
A key factor, and one that is often overlooked, is that how your animals perform is also directly affected by their water intake.
Now many of you may already be thinking “well of course water is necessary, anybody knows that!”
In many years, as September marches into October, we are beginning to experience some return of rainfall. But as many of us know, that is not always the case. Often we are still experiencing hot and dry weather, and water supplies are dwindling.
When we find ourselves experiencing those types of fall conditions, it is critical to not only understand the daily water requirements for cattle, but also the impact that the quality of water can have on herd health and development.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Annette Bridges
A friend and I were recently talking about our husbands. She made a comment that I felt also perfectly described me and my hubby.
“He slows me and I hurry him. I’m sure that is why we do well together,” she said.
“Precisely!” I thought. Why?
Because when two different worlds collide, it can be magical.
No matter what those two different worlds are- a man and a woman with very different personalities, beliefs, or backgrounds, two partners with contrasting passions, strengths, or talents, or when a country boy marries a city girl.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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.
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