Texas International Produce Association celebrates 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

This article appeared on the February 2, 2024 issue of the Progress Times.

The Texas International Produce Association inducted four men in the agricultural industry Monday evening at the 36th Hall of Fame Banquet at the Mission Event Center. The event celebrated individuals who have impacted the Texas production industry.

Tommy Wilkins, sales director of Horton Fruit Co. in McAllen, led the night as the master of ceremonies. 

“I think this is one of our biggest droughts this year,” said Wilkins. “And the fact that you all are here this evening just speaks volumes about the honorees and their contribution to this region’s fresh produce industry.”

Every two years, TIPA, established in 1942, has inducted pioneer farmers, such as John H. Shary in 1988, for their service to statewide crop production.

“Each of our honorees has had a long career in this industry,” said Wilkins.

Toothaker and Posthumous Honorees

The Association first welcomed the recipient of the Scott Toothaker Award, Jim Henderson, with his son, Jimmy Henderson, receiving it for him that night.

“I was watching my father serve this industry. And we’re here tonight honoring some great people,” said Henderson. “My father worshipped the producers, shippers, the farmers, and the hard work they gave.” 

The late Danny Arnold, owner of A-W Produce, received the Posthumous Award. Chad Szutz, son of Danny Arnold of A-W Produce, received his father’s in his honor.

Arnold, a Weslaco native, went against his parent’s wishes to become an engineer and instead sought a career in agriculture. In 1974, he earned his Agronomy degree from Southwest Texas State University. Afterwards, he began to grow his produce.

The produce Arnold grew consisted of beets, carrots, lettuce, cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon.

“Danny was very focused, very driven, and very passionate,” his son said. 

“On behalf of my family…thank you for honoring Danny tonight,” Szutz said. 

Bernie Thiel, Sunburst Farms

Bernie Thiel was the first gentleman introduced as a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee by his daughter, Amy Thiel.

“It is most appropriate his legacy of his long career is commemorated tonight,” said Amy, welcoming her father on stage.

“Produce,” said Bernie. “It’s a tough world. You’ve got to be tough to do it. You’ve got to be tough to make it successful. And everybody in here has been doing it mostly for all of their lives…it survived with you.”

As a child, Bernie tended the fields and harvested crops alongside his family. After majoring in agriculture and marrying his wife at age 20, he settled and created the legacy of Sunburst Farms in Lubbock, Texas. 

In time, 20 acres grew to 900, where Bernie grew sweet potatoes, radishes, onions, turnips, sweet peas, and his ‘diamond’ crop, fancy yellow and zucchini squashes. 

“[This industry] makes you respect life. It makes you respect people,” he said. “It’s a great industry and a great business. I love it, and I respect everybody that is in it.”

Bruce Fraiser, Dixondale Farms

Laughter ensued the rest of the night as Bruce Fraiser, president of Dixondale Farms, set foot on stage after being introduced by his son, Patrick.

“Anyone that knows me, my passion or career I’d like to be if I wasn’t farming was a stand-up comedian,” he said.

Fraiser began working in agriculture alongside his father-in-law in 1982. Bruce became part of the 4th generation line of a family farm. Through the industry, he met fellow inductees, and friendship blossomed between them.

“Danny Arnold and I, when this industry was having conventions and there were probably four times as many vendors…Chad, your dad..we built a good friendship,” he said. “We started at the packing shed. I went down there. Your dad showed me to get us started. Same thing with Frank too.”

Dixondale is one of the largest growers of onion in the United States, sitting on 2,200 acres outside of Carrizo Springs, Texas. Last year, they celebrated their 111th harvest.

Frank Schuster, Val Verde Vegetable Co.

Frank Schuster of Val Verde Vegetable Co., spoke compassionately of his fellow inductees,

“I remember meeting Danny at that shed in Mercedes, that old wooden shed along the road,” he said. “It was fun to see step-by-step y’all’s family building a living produce and surviving,” he said.

Schuster teared up at knowing he also inspired his children to continue in the agricultural business.

“My kids, they took the small business my dad started and built a tremendous, tremendous organization,” he said. “That’s what inspired me.”

Schuster, a PSJA graduate, has managed a family business since he was twenty-four-years-old. He tended to a 2,500-acre vegetable, cotton, and sugar farm, Rio Vista Gin Co., Rio Fresh Inc., directorship at Alamo Bank of Texas, and tended to a Santa Gertrudis cow herd on El Cerrito Ranch.

Now, he runs Val Verde Vegetable Co., which works across Texas and Mexico.

James V. Bassetti, Little Bear Produce

The last gentleman inducted into the Hall of Fame was James V. Bassetti, a New Jersey native who saw the farming potential in the Rio Grande Valley after moving in 1984. Two years later, the in-house packing and shipping, J&D Produce and “Little Bear” brand was born.

“What an absolute honor this is,” said Bassetti. “Look out, Tom Brady,” he jokingly said, the room erupting in laughter.

“I want to thank the Hall of Fame committee for nominating me. I also want to thank them by recognizing these previous honorees,” he said. “They are true Texas trailblazers. ”

Today, Little Bear Produce handles more than 35 vegetables and fruits from over 7,000 acres of land and multiple growing regions.

After the banquet, friends within the industry congratulated one another, looking forward to the future agricultural seasons.