Impacts Last A Lifetime

My name is Joseph Romeo Ozuna I was born and raised in Rio Grande City, Texas. I grad uated from Rio Grande City High School in 2000 and received my degree from Texas A&M University Kings ville in 2006. My father and mother are both retired educators for RGCCISD where they served the youth in the district for 40 + years. I have a younger brother Luis Aaron Ozuna who is a Customs and

Border Protection Officer and who is my best friend. I have two children that have been the most absolute blessing in my life my son Joseph Paul and daughter Keirsten Alexa. My great grandfather Sabas Ozuna was the foreman for Las Islas Ranch back in the late 1890’s which was later named as the Vannie Cook Foundation. My grandfather and his brothers dropped out of school to become cowboys and help their father manage the ranch and this is where it all started. My grandmother was born and raised in Las Escobas Ranch which is about 27 North West of Rio Grande City, Tx. So, as you can see both my grandparents came from ranching backgrounds.

My grandfather was a work horse working from sun up to sun down teaching my dad and his brothers the values of hard work ethics, responsibly, and always instilling that when a man gives his word and shakes your hand you always follow though no matter the good, the bad, or the ugly and that if you stood by those values your reputation would make you or break you. In 1960 my grandfather leased 640 acres and along with my dad and uncles operated 125 head of commercial cattle and in 1962 he was given the opportunity to purchase the land for $17.00 an acre. Being that he was the only bread winner in the family the bank would only loan him enough for 200 acres, so he bought them. In 1978 my

grandmother inherited 658 acres from her father and together they combined 858 acres that is still being managed to this day. Being my dad had two sons he knew he had to teach us those values as his father taught him and the day I was potty trained was the day I started going to the ranch with my dad and grandfather and that’s where my love for agriculture began. By the age of 6 I had shot my first deer and by 8 I was driving a truck with a small trailer and my brother and I were learning to rope, knock down calves, ear tag, and brand cattle. I lost my grandpa on March 31st 1992, I was going to be 10 years old. He was my hero and still is my hero watching over us from heaven and I thank him for his values and work ethics and teaching us to be men and that nothing in this world is given to you everything is earned through hard work, dedication, perseverance and never ever giving up. Fast forward to today, my father, brother and I operate our registered herd of Beefmaster cattle along with a White-tailed deer hunting operation where we continue to honor and follow all the values that we were taught to us by grandpa and dad.

The role that agriculture plays in my life is very simple without agriculture we cannot survive. Agriculture provides a way of life to all. Farmer and ranchers all over the world dedicate their lives and sacrifice to raise and produce livestock and crops for us to be able to provide for our families. In my view it plays a role where I raise cattle to have a producing herd of momma cows that give me a calf every year to be raised and grown and later sent to a feedlot where they are finished and sent to a packer to provide food to other families. Knowing that not just me but others that do this I feel blessed that we all can play a significant role in agricukture.

The one lesson that the kids have taught me throughout my career was perseverance. The kids never gave up and always gave it their all even when the odds were against them. Every time there was a hurdle to over come or a bump in road their attitude was always IT’S OK, we will get them next time. To me that is lesson I’ll never forget. Like the Tim McGraw song they know how to be “Humble and Kind” and they always knew how to “Make the Best Better”

The most important thing I try to teach is the kids a saying that my dad has always instilled in me which is “What’s the difference between success and failure. The difference is you tried one more time. That can be utilized in everything that you do weather it be in the ring, a job interview, or a test. Moral of the story behind this when you put your mind to something don’t give up and keep moving forward.

The one thing that keeps me going every day is my faith in God and knowing that he is always there guiding me and blessing me to do the best I can and to help where I can.

The most memorable thing about being an Extension Agent was working with the kids and the volunteers and parents. Seeing the faces of the 4-Her’s when they competed in contests in the show ring and in all that they did was the best and especially getting phone calls and telling you thank you Mr. Ozuna for being there for us I knew I was doing my job. What was your largest accomplishment?

My largest accomplishment was graduating with my degree from college because of 13 grandchildren that my grandparents on both sides of the family I was the first grandchild to graduate with a college degree and that set a path for the rest to follow and get an education to become successful in life.

As Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent for Prairie View Cooperative Extension Program servicing both Hidalgo and Starr County my plan is to continue to support and provide quality educational program for farmers and ranchers. I want to thank the 4-H Program, 4-H members, parents, volunteers, FFA advisors, and Agents for the all the support.