My Turn Following Big Footprints Through the Fields
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grew up in the Panhandle my home state but across the Cotton Belt through our of Texas, amidst dirt, cattle, travels. The challenges differ, but the people all seem horses and blowing snow. to share similar qualities: humility, stubbornness, grit, After high school, I made flexibility, openess and resilience. A grower once shared the move to Lubbock, where his perspective when he told me he has never failed in Texas Tech University provided raising a successful cotton crop. He went on to say that me with my first glimpse into his 50-plus years of cotton farming were merely dedicatthe intriguing world of cotton. ed to finding ways to isolate the things that didn’t work. Studying under Dr. Dan Krieg, Pretty sound perspective. I quickly learned that the cotI have experienced boll weevil eradication success ton plant itself had far more and the launch of multiple herbicide and insect traits, Eric to teach me than a lifetime of as well as unique native traits. The grower relationships Best learning could provide. have always been key to putting all the pieces together I spent the majority of my to understand and accomplish sustainable, economical college career studying, researching and preparing. Every cotton production. I count these relationships as some project assigned me seemed to link classroom learning to of my most prized accomplishments, both professionally the “real world,” and I quickly learned to appreciate exper- and personally. imental work that was relevant to the cotton producers in Dave and Keylon have mentored me through years our area. I was always told cotton was a challenge. A local of “learning opportunities.” True mentors leave a mark grower once told me that in 50 years of farming, he had beyond the professional realms, and they have had influexperienced 50 first years of farming. I have learned to ence in most of our personal lives. They have demonappreciate that perspective. Upon graduation, I thought strated true work/life balance, family values and prioriI was ready for the chalties. I am honored to have lenge, and Dave Albers took “I am honored to be stepping into spent time in the fields a chance on this fresh-outwith them. Cotton requires Keylon’s role.” of-school kid back in 1996. a commitment. It provides This is where my profesa challenge. It thrives on sional career in cotton began with Paymaster Cottonseed. adversity and is always changing. I think the challenges of working with cotton in West Dave is still leading and mentoring folks in all facets Texas provided me with an understanding not only of of the cotton business, and Keylon recently retired as how demanding the crop can be, but also how durable the Deltapine cotton product manager. I feel I have truly and resilient the growers are. Twenty-five years profes- been blessed to have walked alongside such great mensionally involved in cotton have been humbling. Every tors, friends and colleagues. Going forward, I am honyear has its challenges, and the opportunities are always ored to be stepping into Keylon’s role and look forward there to learn when we sit still and listen a bit. to continuing to learn from the field. Much like Dave, Keylon Gholston also demonstratHopefully, the knowledge Keylon has shared with so ed how to be successful and gave me many opportuni- many will in turn be shared back with me. Who knows, I ties to listen. He was influential in shaping my perspec- may even be able to leave a few tidbits of his wisdom and tives beyond West Texas. We have traveled through the stories along the way. I am convinced that he will still Carolinas, the Southeast, Mid-South, Arizona and every- answer his phone to help anyone, even if he is out in the where in between. I repeatedly learned that difficult issues woods chasing turkeys somewhere. were merely opportunities for growth. Between these two When humility allows us to learn from the past and mentors, I had plenty of opportunities. We often sat down focus on what we can control, I believe we will be able to to discuss our interesting field visits and vowed to write see the footprints left for us to follow. an entertaining coffee table book. But that is for another day. Both men have left big footprints in the fields. — Eric Best I have been blessed not only to develop relationships Lubbock, Texas and work with growers, academics and consultants in eric.best@bayer.com Cotton Farming’s back page is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from across the Cotton Belt. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to csmith@onegrower.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
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COTTON FARMING | FEBRUARY 2022
COTTONFARMING.COM
