Ben L. Scholz, Distinguished Alumni 2013

(Class of 1969) received his bachelor's degree in technical agriculture while forming a partnership with his father in a farming and ranching operation called Scholz Farms. He had the responsibilities of management, marketing, planning and computerizing financial records. In 1999, Scholz became General Manager of a cotton warehousing company. While there, he changed the corporate structure of the company to C-corporation and became the President and CEO of Producers Compress, Inc. He formed a legal partnership with his wife called B Scholz Farms, which continued the original business, but changed a few things. The primary sources of revenue became corn, grain sorghum, wheat, beef, cattle and hay. He adapted the newest technical electronics for more efficient operations of equipment and developed a minimal-till cropping system for better opportunities for improved net returns. Scholz was a charter member of the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce promoting several events for scholarship and philanthropy. He also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Wylie. Currently, Scholz serves as President of the Texas Wheat Producers Association; Director of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates; and Chairman of Forage Committee for a regional Texas AgriLife Extension program called “Big Program” presenting educational programs to improve understanding of quality forages for regional livestock producers.