Return to the October 2020 newsletter
Texas House District 60
Meet Glenn Rogers:
Veterinarian brings a wealth of rural experience to Capitol
Texas dairy farmers won’t have to worry whether Rep.-elect Glenn Rogers understands their issues – he’s been involved with livestock from his FFA childhood to his career as a veterinarian to his service to the livestock industry on public policy issues. Now he’s bringing his vast understanding to the Capitol as a voice for both rural Texas and his House District 60, which includes Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Eastland, Hood, Palo Pinto, Shackelford and Stephens counties.
Welcome to the Texas House! What motivated you to run for the Texas Legislature?
Through my recent term as president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, I made several trips to D.C. and became more engaged in the “Rural Veterinary Shortage.” This led to becoming more concerned about the overall “brain drain” in rural America. I have become passionate about seeking ways to revitalize rural communities to attract and retain veterinarians, teachers, and other professionals. My only agenda is to represent rural Texas and be a strong voice for agriculture and rural conservative values.
You have a rural upbringing – tell our dairy farmer members about that.
I was raised in Graham, Texas, and was active in 4-H and FFA. I was chapter FFA president and very active in showing livestock. I decided during my sophomore year of high school that I wanted to be a veterinarian. My first love has always been beef cattle and the ranching industry. I did not grow up in or practice in an area with dairy farms; however, I did have experience working for my diverse rural clientele, literally 24/7. The greatest attribute I have developed in my rural upbringing, ranching and rural practice experiences has been resiliency. This is a trait that all involved in the dairy industry should appreciate.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Texas, and why?
Long term, the biggest challenge facing Texas is explosive population growth, urbanization and water availability. Texas is increasing in population by about 1,000 people daily. Competition for water resources between rural agricultural and urban needs will continue to intensify. Short term, the biggest challenge is getting our economy open and rolling and dealing with the budget shortfalls and economic losses created by the COVID response.
What are your legislative priorities for your district this session, and why?
My legislative priorities will focus on redistricting and balancing the biennial budget without harming rural Texas. I will emphasize trimming the “fat” while focusing on maintaining the gains made in public education in the 86th legislative session. Access to quality public education and health care is essential for thriving rural communities. I will support continued growth in rural economic development.
Anything else you’d like to say to our dairy farmer members?
Food security is essential to everyone. We need to do a better job of educating urban legislators and stakeholders on the importance of agriculture and thriving rural communities to maintain food and energy security.
Improved access to high-speed internet is imperative for agriculture and the growth of rural communities. The recent pandemic has accentuated the deficiencies for broadband availability in lower socioeconomic households and rural areas. Broadband access is of increasing importance for rural health with the growth of telemedicine capabilities. The coming post-COVID rural renaissance and growth will hinge on availability of high-speed internet to work and conduct business in more remote locations.
Learn more about Rep.-elect Dr. Glenn Rogers
Dr. Glenn Rogers is the owner and operator of Holt River Ranch, near Graford, where he operates a heifer development business and manages several other ranch-related enterprises. Rogers is passionate about ranching and range management. In 2017, he received the Conservation Rancher of the year award for the State of Texas.
After graduation from Texas A&M in 1980, Rogers practiced for 11 years in Graham and Graford, where he owned and operated two rural, mixed practices. Rogers received his Master’s from Kansas State University in 1993 focusing on beef production medicine. From 1993-2000, he was on the faculty at North Carolina State University where he was a tenured associate professor in ruminant production medicine. Rogers has been a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Beef Cattle since 1995.
From 2001 until 2013, Rogers worked as a technical consultant in the animal health business.
Rogers is an active member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), NCBA, TSCRA and several other beef and veterinary organizations. Rogers was awarded the AABP Distinguished Service Award in 2015. He has served the AABP as director (representing Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana), foundation chairman and recently completed his term as president. In 2018, Rogers was honored as “Consultant of the Year” by the Academy of Veterinary Consultants. Rogers serves as a trustee of the Send A Cow organization which supports agriculture sustainability projects in six African countries.
Rogers was named a Distinguished Alumni by the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
Rogers has four children: Meg, (a medical doctor); Ginny (an attorney); Ben, 22 and a 2020 graduate of Texas A&M; and Leah, 16, a junior at Mineral Wells High School. He has five grandchildren. His wife, Mandy, is also a veterinarian.