Stiles Farm Foundation annual event brings in a crowd
THRALL – The Stiles Farm Foundation this month continued a 63-year tradition with an annual field day featuring fun activities for kids and educational opportunities for all ages.
The June 6 event saw children enjoying a trampoline, a water slide and a zip line while adults attended a John Deere demonstration and presentations on soil pH management and pasture mealybugs.
Tours of the 3,000-acre farm, 5700 FM 1063, were provided and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension set up booths covering topics such as water conservation and pest management.
“I wanted this field day to be a great family event where producers could gain timely educational information, kids could have a great time and everyone could share a good meal,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager.
Officials were pleased with the turnout this year.
“It was a great crowd,” Collett said.
John Selking of Two Happy Children Farm was named “Agriculturist of the Year.” His produce is sold every Saturday at the Wolf Ranch Farmers Market in Georgetown.
Steve Vrabel and Tommy Filla of Precision Ag Repair were awarded the Ag Business Professional of the Year Awards.
Stiles Farm Foundation is an experimental farm managed by the AgriLife Extension Service. The farm researches sustainable, profitable farming practices and serves as a test location for new equipment, such as Deere's autonomous tractors.
Stiles Farm Foundation, 5700 FM 1063 in Thrall, has been a test site for John Deere products, including its newest autonomous tractor. Photo by Emily Treadway
