Reprint from the Progress Times - September 28, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Sharyland’s newest school named after ag pioneer

Over the years the Valley landscape has changed dramatically. However, one local constant that remains is the effort and enthusiasm of Harry H. Shimotsu. These attitudes of respect for hard work and self-motivation are just a few of the characteristics Sharyland Independent School District (SISD) would like its students to learn from the namesake of their newest elementary school.

Shimotsu, who began farming with 72 acres of land after his World War II infantry service, was farming 3,500 acres by the age of 42. In 1963, Shimotsu built Rio Pak Company and in 1967, he and his partners formed Valley Central Sales. Six years later Hunt Oil Company asked him to manage their Sharyland property.

On Tuesday, September 25, the SISD officially cut the ribbon on Harry H. Shimotsu Elementary at 3101 San Mateo Road in Sharyland Plantation.

The new school, located within the Sharyland Plantation master planned community, is the 7th of eight schools for the district.

SISD Superintendent Scott Owings says the district couldn’t have picked a better name.

"We are proud and pleased to honor such a distinguished and deserving member of our greater community by naming our newest school for him," said Owings. "Mr. Shimotsu is a pioneer Valley businessman."

Shimotsu was the first grower to initiate organized gleaning of his fields after harvest for charitable organizations such as the Food Bank, Children’s Home, Colonias del Valle and others. In 1982 Shimotsu organized a crew of Winter Texans from Wisconsin to glean the fields. He allowed the gleaners to keep half of what they picked with the other half being donated to a charity. This program is still in existence today with tons of vegetables being donated each year. The gleaners have even received national attention from NBC’s Connie Chung and ABC’s Peter Jennings among others.

Not content to simply work behind the scenes, Shimotsu has also been at the forefront of Valley agriculture.

He has served as president of Sharyland Plantation’s farming operations since the early 70’s, served on the South Texas Lettuce Committee for 23 terms since 1963 and has also served as an alternate on the Onion Committee. He is currently vice-president of the Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District No. 19 and has served on the organization’s board of directors since 1973 and on the board of directors of the Harlingen National Bank for 16 years.