Grayson College teaches would-be farmers and ranchers to run the books
The college's agribusiness courses cover budgeting, risk and marketing. USDA counted more than a third of Cooke County's agricultural producers at 65 or older in 2022.
Grayson College teaches would-be farmers and ranchers how to run an agricultural business, in a county where USDA counted more than a third of producers at 65 or older in 2022.
The college says its agriculture programs prepare future farm and ranch owners to start, manage or expand their own operations, according to its program pages. Its catalog lists an Introduction to Agribusiness course covering finance, risk management, recordkeeping, budgeting, marketing, sales and employer responsibilities. A separate Agricultural Entrepreneurship certificate stresses business planning, financial management, marketing and operations.
Grayson describes its agribusiness workforce pathway as built for working adults, nontraditional students and aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs. Most instruction is online, with internships and practicums supplying hands-on training. The 2026–2027 catalog lists a 60-credit Associate of Applied Science in Agribusiness Management for students who want to run their own farm enterprise or work in agricultural business. Requirements include agricultural economics, agricultural marketing and a practicum or internship.
Photo by Ken Hammond, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(NRCS_Photo_Gallery).jpg){kind=link}
The 2022 Census of Agriculture shows how lopsided the county's age mix is. Cooke County producers 65 and older outnumbered those under 35 by more than five to one. The figures record ages, not retirement plans. The same census found that the county's farm businesses together spent far more than they took in, with a net cash farm income loss of about $32 million.
| Cooke County agriculture, 2022 | Figure |
| --- | ---: |
| Producers 65 or older | 1,363 of 3,707 |
| Producers younger than 35 | 252 |
| Product sales | $109.452 million |
| Production expenses | $161.701 million |
| Net cash farm income, all farms | −$32.477 million |
| Net cash farm income, per farm | −$14,843 |
Source: USDA 2022 Census of Agriculture, Cooke County profile
Cooke County had about 2,200 farms on roughly 513,000 acres that year, and USDA reports that family operations made up 97% of them. Neighboring Grayson County showed a similar age split and also reported a net cash loss, according to its USDA profile.
Two neighboring counties, the same imbalance
Cooke County
1,363 of 3,707 producers were 65 or older; 252 were younger than 35. Net cash farm income: −$32.477 million.
Grayson County
1,890 of 5,032 producers were 65 or older; 340 were younger than 35. Net cash farm income: −$16.987 million.
North Central Texas College deactivated its Farm & Ranch Management program on May 20, 2024, and stopped admitting new students, according to the college. Its agriculture page directs prospective students to Equine Science and Horticulture.
Join the conversation