Texas Citrus Mutual holds gala to celebrate golden anniversary
Texas Citrus Mutual holds gala to celebrate golden anniversary
Texas Citrus Mutual, a non-profit trade association established in 1958 to represent the interests of Texas citrus growers, celebrated its golden anniversary with a gala event Nov. 15 at the John H. Shary mansion in Mission, TX.
Mr. Shary, a native Nebraskan, became involved in the development and growth of the Rio Grange Valley region after a tour of a citrus orchard in 1912. Three years later, he moved from Corpus Christi to the valley and started his own venture by planting 360 acres of citrus trees in what is today McAllen. Over the years, Mr. Shary bought and subdivided over 50,000 acres of citrus in the valley. He is credited with being the father of the Texas citrus industry.
During the festivities, Becky Bonham, chairman of Texas Citrus Mutual, presented Ray Prewitt, president of Texas Citrus Mutual, with a special award to recognize his 25 years of service.
To commemorate the milestone, Texas Citrus Mutual put together a book titled Scenes of Texas Citrus, A Proud Heritage, which was available at the gala event. Copies can also be ordered at www.valleyag.org.
(Additional photos from the event appear in the Nov. 24 issue of The Produce News.)
Mr. Shary, a native Nebraskan, became involved in the development and growth of the Rio Grange Valley region after a tour of a citrus orchard in 1912. Three years later, he moved from Corpus Christi to the valley and started his own venture by planting 360 acres of citrus trees in what is today McAllen. Over the years, Mr. Shary bought and subdivided over 50,000 acres of citrus in the valley. He is credited with being the father of the Texas citrus industry.
During the festivities, Becky Bonham, chairman of Texas Citrus Mutual, presented Ray Prewitt, president of Texas Citrus Mutual, with a special award to recognize his 25 years of service.
To commemorate the milestone, Texas Citrus Mutual put together a book titled Scenes of Texas Citrus, A Proud Heritage, which was available at the gala event. Copies can also be ordered at www.valleyag.org.
(Additional photos from the event appear in the Nov. 24 issue of The Produce News.)
