The Texas Wheat Producers Board presented the 2025 Texas Wheat County Agent of the Year award to Dr. David Drake, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Hunt, Fannin, Collin and Grayson Counties. Drake was recognized at the annual Texas County Agricultural Agents Association meeting on July 21 in Lubbock.
Wheat is the most widely planted and economically significant crop in Drake’s area, with approximately 200,000 acres planted annually across 22 counties. Through his Wheat IPM program, Drake provides area producers with critical, research-based information to improve decisions about variety selection, fertilizer application, crop rotation, pest and disease control and the responsible use of crop protection products. Farmers in the area highly value Drake’s contributions, and survey results show positive economic impacts from Drake’s programming.
Drake is involved in multiple production and variety trials each year and consistently communicates the findings to local producers via mail, email, newsletters, field days, meetings and web content.
“Dr. Drake is a humble, hardworking, team player who truly supports producers,” said Ben Scholz, a farmer from Lavon and board member. “His expertise and dedication as the IPM agent in our region is invaluable. He’s quick to address issues in our cropping systems and provides insight through demonstration plots, field days and his deep knowledge base.”
In addition to his Extension work, Dr. Drake teaches at East Texas A&M University and mentors students in agricultural sciences. In 2024, he provided guidance to a Ph.D. candidate in the distance Plant Breeding Program focused on developing wheat varieties resistant to Hessian fly and implementing IPM strategies to manage this damaging pest.
“Dr. Drake exemplifies the mission AgriLife Extension by delivering practical, science-based solutions directly to farmers,” said Steelee Fishbacher, executive director of the Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association. “His commitment to integrated pest management, variety research and producer education makes a measurable difference for wheat farmers in Northeast Texas.”
