Association News

Texas Land Bank Stockholders Participate in Farm Credit Young Leaders Program

WACO, Texas  —  David and Misty Groschke of Riesel recently learned about the role they can play in shaping the policy that affects this country’s farmers and ranchers. They were among 28 young agricultural producers selected to attend the 2011 Farm Credit Young Leaders Program. Member-borrowers of Texas Land Bank, which is part of the Farm Credit System, the couple interacted with government, financial and agricultural decision-makers and got an inside look at how the System operates.

During the sixth annual event, sponsored by the Tenth District Farm Credit Council, participants traveled to New York City and Washington, D.C., while the 2012 Farm Bill was taking form. Each lending co-op in the district chose participants who have shown outstanding leadership and involvement in the agriculture industry.

The Groschkes have a strong farming and ranching heritage. The couple owns a show cattle operation with about 75 cows, and is involved with several partner herds. For the past six years, David has worked as a county agent with Texas AgriLife Extension.  A speech language pathologist, Misty also owns Great Job Therapy, which serves the greater Waco area. The couple has two children, Paisley and Duke. 

A visit to the U.S. House Chamber during a vote capped off the four-day trip, which included meetings with agriculture industry representatives, Farm Credit Council officials and congressional staff in Washington, D.C. The group also had a briefing at the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation and toured a Wall Street brokerage firm in New York City. - November 18, 2011

CBS Reality Show Turns Spotlight on Texas Land Bank Stockholder

For Texas Land Bank stockholder Dina Dwyer-Owens, business means service. The chairwoman and CEO of Waco-based The Dwyer Group Inc. oversees a company that sends 1,600 plumbers, electricians, landscapers and other service professionals to homes and businesses through its seven franchise organizations. Together, its franchise companies, such as Glass Doctor, Mr. Rooter and Rainbow International, are responsible for about 2 million service calls a year in eight countries.

Founded by Dwyer-Owens’ father, Don Dwyer Sr., The Dwyer Group celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2011, when it generated more than $750 million in company-wide sales. Dwyer-Owens credits that success to The Dwyer Group Code of Values, which emphasizes respect, integrity, customer focus and having fun in the process.

So when CBS gave Dwyer-Owens the opportunity to find out whether her company’s service-oriented values were being carried out on the job site, she donned a wig, colored contact lenses, steel-toed boots and a uniform to go undercover as potential trainee Faith Brown for Season 3 of the reality show “Undercover Boss.”

Watch past episodes and learn more about “Undercover Boss” at www.cbs.com, and see what else the executive is up to at her blog, dinadwyerowens.blogspot.com, and on Twitter at twitter.com/dinadwyerowens.

Banking for Babies – Texas Land Bank Supports March of Dimes

For many years Texas Land Bank has participated in the March of Dimes March for Babies. This year through the efforts of Employees, Stockholders and friends, a record was set with donations of approximately $8,300.00!

The funds support March of Dimes and their mission to help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.  Texas Land Bank “Banking for Babies” teams walked in marches during April and May and hosted an auction for the cause at the annual stockholder meeting.

In addition, Texas Land Bank won first place for Best T-shirt design at the march and also served as a Corporate sponsor for the events.