Craven Hudson has been a farmer all his life. He grew up on a farm, worked as an extension agent in the United States, and now works as an agriculturist on the Andean Agriculture Team in Venezuela. Here’s his story, in his own words:

Farmers are farmers worldwide. I was raised on a farm, and, knowing farmers’ worldview, I relate well to them. This has come from a lifetime that God purposed.

Perfectly prepared

It is amazing how my previous experience as an extension agent comes into play every day here. Extension agents need to know a little about everything, but also where to find more specialized information. That skill gets tested nearly every day here as the right information the farmers need is not readily available.

While North Carolina does not have the tremendous diversity of tropical agriculture, basic plant physiology and pathology is universal. Although I am not well armed with specifics for most tropical crops, I usually can draw on my training to get close to the advice needed. Just as farmers in the USA depend on agents to investigate for them, the same is true to a greater degree in Venezuela.

During the last four years I was living in North Carolina, I worked on the Neuse River Education Team. We were involved in an effort to improve the health of the Neuse River by lowering nitrogen inputs. Our comprehensive educational program included working not only with farmers, but also with engineers, developers, municipal officials, elected officials and homeowners.

In Venezuela, by chance--or so it seemed to us at the time--we were invited to a mayor's committee on rescuing the Rio Escalante River in Santa Barbara.

My experiences are perfect for this project that includes university faculty, the agricultural community and others!

Opening doors for the gospel

We have spoken to cattleman’s associations, high school and college classes, agricultural tech schools, and various agricultural organizations. We feel the Lord is preparing the hearts of community leaders to hear the gospel in a way they will understand from people they trust.

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