Program director cultivates??a passion for agriculture
By Liliana Torreblanca Editor in Chief
One of the never-ending jobs of America is being a farmer or rancher. These are the people who put the food in our grocery stores that is then placed on our table for us to eat. Only 2% of Americans are part of the agriculture workforce. Education for the next farmers of America is essential for humanity and for our country. Northeast Texas Community College Ag Director Rene¡¯ McCracken is doing her part to teach students the principles of growing crops and raising animals.
McCracken joined NTCC July of 2012, and since then has shared her love for animals and plants with hundreds of students. From a young age McCracken discovered a love for animals, and often preferred them over people.? ¡°They¡¯re not mean to you,¡± she said with a smile. Over time, McCracken began seeing herself in a teaching role. She began discovering the important connection between people and animals and found a way to share that love and passion with others. Her dedication to the field of agriculture became a bridge to educate people on how to love and understand animals and farming. Since then, she has taught a large number of students from diverse backgrounds. McCracken said she often thinks about a question she was asked during by the hiring committee. ¡°What is your passion?¡± She answered with ¡°people.¡± McCracken believes that the hard work of those working in agriculture are unmatched.
She describes farmers and ranchers as ¡°the greatest people in the world.¡± ¡°There are lots of reasons that people go into agriculture and those that survive and stay have this stubbornness and? true grit,¡± she said.?
McCracken finds it empowering that she has a chance to teach students how to better their skills. ¡°I could not have asked for a better position for me,¡± she said. And in return, her students feel that she empowers them with her energy and knowledge. Ag Club member Jan Frost praises McCracken for the time and effort she puts into her work with students. ?
¡°Mrs. McCracken totally changed my life, my whole outlook on life and changed my whole direction,¡± Frost said. ¡°I really didn¡¯t know where I was heading and what direction I was heading until I met her and saw everything she does with the farm and the college. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and felt like I belonged. She just really filled my whole life and my dreams to do something that she does.¡±?
When McCracken said when she first visited NTCC she saw potential. ¡°I could see my curtains in the window, so to speak,¡± she said. When she first spoke with Dr. Brad Johnson, former president of the college, she described the meeting as intimating but intriguing.
She said Johnson asked her how long that it would take to build the sustainable agriculture program from 50 students a class to 100. Looking back, she said it did take a little longer than she thought it would, but she is beyond happy with the impact she has had and how far the program has come.
¡°Honestly this is the 13th year, and I think we are just now getting to where when I first walked around on the campus, this is the vision of what I had in my head,¡± she said. ¡°This was some of the things that I was thinking.¡±
McCracken¡¯s schedule is not repeating or often set in stone, it is constantly changing. ¡°There is never a dull day,¡± she said, ¡°I have certain things that I plan for. I¡¯m pretty much the only person on the campus that has seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Somebody has to be held accountable to go and check the animals.¡±
The NTCC Agriculture department is a living lab, where students go to learn and apply the education being taught. There is no pause button or stopping point. On top of the farm responsibilities, McCracken teaches several courses and is working on adding more to help students broaden their education.
Despite the long hours and immense responsibilities with limited resources, McCracken said she loves what she does. ¡°It¡¯s a labor of love,¡± she said. ¡°This job is something I would do for free, but I¡¯m lucky to get paid for it.¡±?
Looking ahead, she plans to continue her education in regenerative agriculture. McCracken said she dreams of pursuing a PhD in sustainable agriculture. ¡°The focus shifts to more research as well as publishing, so you¡¯ll be able to reach more people and be able to affect more change,¡± she said.
Under McCracken¡¯s supervision the agriculture department has become a cornerstone for the community. The AG Club showcases regenerative and sustainable practices that are then applied on the college¡¯s living farm.
McCracken said she would like her students to leave with special memories about the NTCC farm. ¡°I want them to remember and think fondly of their time here,¡±she said. She sees her students as ¡°baby chicks¡± and is excited when she hears about their accomplishments. Rene McCracken is sowing seeds of hope and growth not just for NTCC but for the future of farming itself.