Our Team of Experts | ||||
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CEO, Sustainable Growth Texas, LLC and Partner in 'Betsy Ross Grass-fed Beef'
Betsy Ross is dedicated to the principle that healthy soils grow healthy plants and these are necessary for healthy livestock, and ultimately,healthy people.
Betsy has been a certified Soil Foodweb Advisor since 2004. In addition to being a founding partner in Sustainable Growth Texas, she operates, with her family, a 530-acre stock farm in eastern Williamson County along the San Gabrial River. Grass-fed finished beef is marketed as Betsy Ross Grass-fed Beef to Whole Foods, Peoples Pharmacies, and Greenling Organic Food Delivery in Austin, TX,as well as through the Internet and farm sales. Tenderness, flavor, and consistency are Ross Farms mark of excellence (see www.rossfarm.com.) No corn, hormones, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides are used in the grass-based production system.
Betsy manages projects for the company, serves as lead consultant for natural land renovation, and leads pasture walks, Field Days, analyzes land for clients, and shares her expertise and what she "observes" happening with plants and soils.She is a sought after speaker at alternative farming events. Betsy holds an MBA from the University of Texas.
JR,the company President,is a co-founder of Sustainable Growth Texas and in charge of Operations, Commercial projects as well as lawn care - organically! If you need help fast or answers, JR is the person to call. He has his finger on the pulse of "everything" cooking.JR oversees all aspects of the company: biding jobs, hiring employees, field applications, equipment, products,and inventory. While all team members are responsible for quality service to our clients, JR makes sure the guidelines get implemented.
In some parts of Texas, JR is still known as "coach" He taught school and coached football and basketball. A graduate of San Angelo State University, JR learned the farming trade through on-the-job experience when he joined Betsy in managing Ross Farm. His wife, Kim Builta, is the companys CFO.They have 2 children, Lizzie and Kaci. The girls help with farm chores, office work, packaging bio-stimulation packs, helping fill meat orders, billing, and daily chores.
Soil and Crop Consultant, Sustainable Growth Texas, LLC
Steve Diver joined Sustainable Growth Texas full-time after working asa Senior Agriculture Specialist for the ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service for 18 years. Steve is an accomplished researcher, author, and eco-educator.
His special expertize is helping folks set up gardens - kitchen to market.
His publications and workshops address topics in horticulture and agronomy with a special focus on soil biology, compost, organic farming, and food quality.He served on the NOSB Compost Tea Task Force in 2003-2004 and is currently on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee for The Organic Center.
An M.S. graduate in horticulture from Oklahoma State University, he was an Extension Horticulturist and Agriculture Agent with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension for four years. He left the Extension Service to gain experience on an organic farm in Missouri prior to joining NCATs ATTRA program in 1989.Steve has studied and lectured on organic agriculture systems in the U.S., Bermuda, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, and India. In addition to Soil and Crop Consultant, he is in charge of Quality Control, and Research and Development.
Chief Financial Officer, Sustainable Growth Texas, LLC
Kim earned her BBA in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She brings 20 years of experience in the accounting and auditing field to the company and keeps the team on track. She is responsible for purchasing, contract management, accounting, cash flow, and payroll. On occasion she has been known to go out in a truck when things need to get done so she has also seen the business from the drivers seat. Under her watch, the company has expanded into the Austin and Houston markets.
Her real pride and joy are Lizzie and Kaci. When she isnt working at the farm, Kim may be found attending track meets or volleyball, basketball, and softball games, or sometimes, jumping on the trampoline with the girls.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (A& M), Rancher and Co-Owner of Sustainable Growth Texas, LLC and Partner of 'Betsy Ross Grass-fed Beef.'
A recognized leader in Texas agriculture, Joe David remains professionally involved in a host of agricultural issues ranging from water to mohair goat herd improvment to controlled burning in West Texas. He runs the family ranch in Sutton County, Texas. Joe David is a founding partner in Sustainable Growth Texas and remains involved as visionary leader and teacher.
John St. Pe is in charge of Agricultural Operations for Sustainable Growth Texas. He brings 4 years of experience managing pastures in East Texas with the SGTx soil biology program. Aside from handling agricultural field applications, John is a key resource at Ross Farm in Granger, Texas, helping manage the 'Betsy Ross Grass-fed Beef' operation. A classic "Jack of all trades", John he can do it all: liquid compost extract, field applications,cattleman, horseman, driver, mechanic, welder, builder, and designer of 'things'.
Danny is in charge of Commercial and Horticulture applications in Houston which includes scheduling, applications,liquid compost extract, and making sure the crews get to the job in a timely manner. He comes to us with a background in structural pest control.
Craig is in charge of Commercial and Horticulture applications in the Austin area, including scheduling. He is our 'eyes on the property' person.
Craig was born in Austin, Texas, where he has lived all his life. He studied Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin, where he became interested in sustainability and sustainable design. He believes the systems involved in creating and sustaining healthy plant life are far-reaching and interconnected within a larger framework of business, infrastructure and application. Organic soil fertility systems therefore play a crucial role in the development of a sustainable Texas, making him a proud member of the Soils Alive/Sustainable Growth Texas team.
Michael Bosco began his career in the service business with Rid-All Pest Control, Inc., owned and operated by the Bosco family. Along with structural pest control, he offered lawn fertilization progams for his clients. While in college at Tarleton State University, Michael became interested in soil science and organic agricultural practices. After graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in plant and soil science, he converted all his chemical fertilization programs to organic and began offering organic pest and fertilization programs. In 1997, Michael founded Soils Alive, LLC, and began to build a company that could deliver the best organic fertilization program and personalized service in the industry.
Sustainable Growth Texas has centers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston each with the capacity to deliver thousands of gallons of Liquid Compost Extract (LCE), Life2 Soil ProBiotic, Bio-Stimulation Packs (BR Series), Mycorrhizal Fungi, Organic Soil Amendments, and other natural soil amendments. Many of these may be ordered from our shopping cart.
The Soil Foodweb refers to the micro- and macro-organisms that live in the soil, interact with plant roots, decompose organic matter, prey on other soil organisms,cycle nutrients, and perform multiple functions that drive plant growth and crop production.
