Photo:   Pictured from left are the Lee family Mac, Justin, Anna and Jacie at Boles Feed Nacogdoches, LLC. (Photo by Bill Teague)

Boles Feed named Agribusiness of the Year

by Bill Teague, Interim President/CEO, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce

Justin Lee and his family proudly point to Justin’s rich history and tradition of growing up in the agriculture environment and loving every minute of it.

He points, with great pride, to his early days on the family farm in Center helping his Dad with crops including lots of watermelons, cattle and everything associated with agriculture. So it wasn’t surprising that after graduating from Center High School in 1998, he worked in fiber optics across the country until he started working at Boles Feed in Nacogdoches in 2006, then owned by Ken and Cecilia Boles. He was quickly recognized as a hard worker known for his strong work ethics, high integrity and strong loyalty to the store.

Boles Feed is widely known for its variety of products that include, but are not limited to cattle feed, horse feed, dog feed, chicken feed, vaccinations, animal health products, Red Wing boots, gloves, de-wormers, knives, horse tack, seed, fertilizer in bag and bulk, herbicides, insecticides, plants and a full line of garden and pasture seed.

Justin proudly says, "We try to have or get anything that our customers want or need, and get them the best product and service for the best price."

Justin quickly points to his store manager Westley Clark as a great partner and friend. He also proudly recognizes the other two men who work with him at the store, Ramiro Garcia and Humberto Cruz. Westley and Ramiro have worked at the store since 2009 and Humberto for three years.

Justin married Anna Boles, daughter of Ken and Cecilia Boles, and they are blessed with two fine children, Jacie, age five and Mac, age one. In addition to his hard work at the store, Justin and Anna own about 500 acres in Center with about 100 head of cattle.

Anna says Justin does his best to plant a garden each year himself, and he loves to farm. He talks about following things he learned from his family on their farm as the basis for his work on his and Anna's family farm.

They purchased Boles Feed, Nacogdoches, LLC in 2011 from Ken and Cecilia Boles who'd owned the store since 2002, and while it’s a very busy life, he loves it.

Anna uses her educational skills (Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin and Master of Science from Texas Women’s University) to serve her at Shelby Savings Bank and the store. She is also the current President of the Rotary Club of Center, and they both serve their Lord through the First Baptist Church in Center. The pride Anna has for Justin is quickly obvious in her eyes and pleasant smile.

Justin sums up his store’s commitment by simply saying, “We try to treat customers just as we would like to be treated and offer the best customer service.”

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The Nacogdoches County Agriculture Committee will honor Boles Feed, Nacogdoches, LLC as Agribusiness of the Year at the Agriculture Appreciation & Awareness Banquet on Monday, April 11 at the Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center. The award is sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas. Gary and Sue Atkins Agricultural Scholarship Awards will also be presented to Nacogdoches County students

Banquet tables and tickets are available. Contact the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce at 936-560-5533 for details. The event begins at 6  p.m., dinner sponsored by Mast Cattle & Timber Investments begins at 6:30 p.m., and the program with keynote speaker Roy O. Martin III of Roy O. Martin Lumber Company is at 7 p.m.