By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Jacob and Laura Henson wear many hats, and each one reflects their deep-rooted commitment to agriculture.
Jacob grew up in Eastland, helping bale hay and tending to cattle on his family’s small operation.
“I’ve always been involved in agriculture in some aspect as early as I can remember,” he said. “I grew up raising and showing steers through 4-H and FFA, helping out on my family’s operation and participating in rodeo and team roping—just always with that connection to agriculture.”
After working several years as a gunsmith, he started a construction company last spring specializing in remodels and trim work.
Laura’s upbringing was equally rooted in agriculture. She grew up on her family’s custom silage harvesting business and still helps with it today.
“Occasionally, you will still find me in a corn field or at a local dairy helping the harvest crew firsthand,” Laura said.
She teaches at Tarleton State University as an adjunct instructor and research associate, while also pursuing her doctoral degree in agricultural economics.
As an instructor, Laura uses her agricultural background to share her experiences and inspire the next generation of agricultural communicators to grow their understanding of farm and ranch practices.
“The majority of my agriculture students come from the I-35 corridor and have little to no background in agriculture,” Laura said. “Having a producer teaching in a college classroom has never been more crucial to sharing real-world knowledge with these students.”
Their commitment to agriculture extends far beyond their day jobs.
The couple co-owns a commercial Angus-cross cattle herd with Laura’s father and brother.
“We take primary responsibility for the herd, managing everything from the health and welfare of the cattle to repairs and maintenance around the farm,” she said.
They also help manage the family’s high-fenced white-tailed deer ranch.
But that’s not all.
They have a small fruit and vegetable operation that has significantly grown since they started selling produce at their local farmer’s market in 2020.
“We cultivate a variety of products, including tomatoes, squash, peaches, blackberries and peppers, which we market locally at our area farmer’s markets,” Jacob said. “This venture has allowed us to connect directly with consumers, providing fresh, locally grown produce and building relationships within our community.”
They also offer a range of canned goods made from their harvest, including salsa, jams, jellies and pickles.
“These value-added products have allowed us to extend the reach of our farm and offer a taste of homegrown produce year-round,” Laura said.
What started as a small garden has grown into several hundred square feet of production space with plans to expand further in the future.
Beyond their involvement in agriculture, Jacob and Laura run a small business marketing agency, serving both agricultural and non-agricultural businesses.
“Each aspect of our work, from the cattle and deer to the fruits and vegetables, contributes to a fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle that we are proud to share with our family and community,” Laura said. “Our involvement in these ventures has not only enhanced our skills and knowledge but also deepened our commitment to good stewardship and sustainability.”
Laura serves as the faculty advisor for Tarleton Collegiate Farm Bureau and has held leadership roles with the Erath County Farm Bureau board of directors. Jacob and Laura attend TFB events throughout the year and previously served on the TFB Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee.
Two years ago, Jacob and Laura added another hat of responsibility—mom and dad.
“Adding the titles of mom and dad has its own challenges to this diverse array of occupations, but our daughter has embraced life on the go,” Laura said. “Our flexibility to take her along and spend time with her makes every sacrifice and challenge of our lifestyle worth the investment.”
Watch a video with the Hensons.
Excellence in Agriculture Contest
The Hensons are finalists in TFB’s Excellence in Agriculture Contest.
The contest recognizes young men and women ages 18 to 35 who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income from a farm or ranch enterprise.
Information on the contest and TFB’s YF&R program can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
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