"Good-Bye to a Community Servant!"
County Agent Larry Spradlin to
Retire Next Week
by: Bobby McDonald
Editor's Note: The following story is one that really makes me feel old! Larry Spradlin was the graduate assistant in the Agriculture Department, when I was a senior student at East Texas State University, after I had transfered back home from Texas A&M. Larry and I worked together with the ETSU FFA Organization, judged livestock together, and have had almost constant association within the Hopkins County Agricultural community, for the past 30 plus years. This is wishing Larry a successful retirement, full of joys and pleasures and improved health, as he enters this new chapter in his life!
Friends, family, co-workers, and business associates, along with a number of youth who have been a part of the Hopkins County 4-H Program, and Hopkins County agriculturalists, plan to assemble on Tuesday, March 31st, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., to mark the retirement of County Agricultural Agent, Larry Spradlin. Spradlin has served in the post since July of 1997, when he succeeded Tommy Barker.
Spradlin has served in many capacities and positions of leadership since taking office in 1997. He's served on the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Board, the NETLA Organization Board, and been instrumental in helping to direct the work of the NETBIO organization for beef cattlemen, but readily admits that it has been the working with the people of Hopkins County, that have been the major joys of his job. "I've enjoyed getting to know all of the people, especially feeling like I've made a difference in the youth of this community," stated Larry as he reflected on the past 12 years, Wednesday morning. "My work with the kids in the Market Show and through the various 4-H programs has truly been a joy and one that makes you feel like you've made a difference!"
Additionally, on a state-level, Spradlin has served on the board of directors for the State Fair of Texas and the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show Dairy Shows and enjoys serving as a youth judge at dairy and livestock shows throughout Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. "I've enjoyed judging the shows and hopefully teaching the youth how to breed better livestock," expresses Spradlin. "The competition among youth in shows teaches many, many lessons that will aid them in their future lives!"
"Since I became agent in Hopkins County, there have been a tremendous amount of changes," remembers Spradlin. "The dairy industry has seen major changes. We've lost a large number of producers and the herds are much larger now than back in 1997, with individual production per cow increasing dramatically, also! The dairy industry is entirely different than back when I took over the reins as County Agent!"
An emotional Larry Spradlin was honored by the NETLA organization at the Sale of Champions, in February,
for his many hours of dedication and support to the local agricultural youth of Hopkins County.
"The beef cattle industry has seen significant changes, as well," continued Spradlin. "I think the quality of our beef cattle in Hopkins County have improved greatly and much of this can be traced to the NETBIO program that encourages our producers to be better managers and to value-add to their calf crop! It allows local farmers and ranchers to breed the kind of cattle that the feedlot desires and receive a premium price, when they improve their livestock!"
"And, we've certainly had some advancements in forage production, locally, in the past twelve years," acknowledges Spradlin. "We had the introduction of many new grass varieties and of lately, with the price of fertilizer sky-rocketing, we've seen many producers cutting back on their fertilizer levels. It's a totally different level of production than it was when I began this job!"
Spradlin came to Hopkins County in the fall of 1977, as the vocational agriculture teacher at North Hopkins High School, a position that he kept for four years, following graduation from then ETSU in Commerce. "I'll have to credit Dr. Roger K. Arnold, with introducing me to Hopkins County," expresses Spradlin. "He was instrumental in getting me to apply for the job where he had once been the teacher, when I graduated with a Master's Degree in the summer of 1977."
Spradlin was a graduate of Garland High School and came from an agricultural oriented family. His brother, Marty, teaches vocational agriculture at Mt. Pleasant, and his sister, Sue, is the vocational agriculture teacher for Gilmer ISD.
Larry Spradlin and his wife, the former Sherrie Glossup, of the Birthright Community, pause to reflect on the
changes that have transpired during his twelve year tenure as Hopkins County Agricultural Agent.
Spradlin married the former, Sherrie Glossup, from North Hopkins and the newly weds entered the dairy business in the northern part of Hopkins County, giving Spradlin a "hands on" experience with milking cows. Later, he worked for two years in the artificial insemination business, with Oats Breeding Service, before working in the feed industry for both Purina Mills and the local Purina Store as store manager.
"I had a broad knowledge of the local agricultural industry, when I went to work as the Hopkins County Agent, in 1997," remembers Spradlin. "But, every day has been something new and different, with new people to meet and work with. It's been a great challenge and I've had the opportunity to work with some of the nicest folks, in this world!"
When asked about the future, Spradlin states, "I have some health concerns and don't know what all I'll be able to do in retirement, but I'll be out doing something here in Hopkins County! I can't stand to be 'shut-up' in the house all day! Who knows, I may become a real avid gardener!"
Make plans to drop by the Hopkins County Agent's Office, on Tuesday and wish Larry and his wife, Sherrie, a wonderful and enjoyable retirement, and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts in the agricultural community of Hopkins County! They plan to continue to make their home in the North Hopkins area of Hopkins County.
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