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Elizondo’s leadership in farming and agriculture primarily pulls from as a dedicated educator in Texas, specializing in high school vocational programming in permaculture and natural resources. Overseeing the learning of 200+ students enrolled in the four year career cluster. With twelve years of experience teaching high school students, he has recognized the profound impact agriculture education can have long term in homegrown sustainability.
His commitment to leadership in agriculture was recognized in 2015, when he received the 2015 Abraham Lincoln Honor Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach — one of the United States Department of Agriculture’s highest honors. In addition, 2016 the U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Awards “Making a Difference Award.” In 2017, the Green Ambassadors program he created received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Partnership from Texas A&M AgriLife, underscoring leadership in enhancing educational programs through collaborative efforts. In 2024, his commitment and passion for education, he was awarded “Teacher of the Year.”
Choosing a career in vocational education within the fields of agriculture, food, and natural resources was more than a professional decision; it was a calling deeply rooted in his personal history and commitment to his community. For over a decade, he has had the privilege to engage directly with the community where he was raised, fostering connections between people and the natural environment through innovative educational programs. These initiatives range from fishing and hunting to pollinator conservation, establishing and maintaining fruit and nut orchards, and the development of the largest community garden in the nation at Herman Brown Park—located just across from the high school campus he serves. The garden serves as a green sanctuary where local youth actively participate in growing food and managing the land, creating a thriving ecosystem for both people and wildlife.
His dedication extends beyond local projects; for the past eight years, he has also contributed to international conservation efforts by leading fruit tree planting initiatives in Central America with The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation in El Salvador and Guatemala. As a native Texan with ancestral roots to the region’s first peoples, and as a steward of a 40-acre family farm in the piney woods, his career is intrinsically linked to his way of life. This path allows him to honor his heritage, serve his community, and empower others by providing meaningful educational opportunities and fostering a deeper appreciation for our natural world. His career is not only a professional choice but a profound privilege that enables him to uplift and build enduring connections within and beyond his community.
