GVEC introduced the Public Service Award in 1986 to recognize people, businesses, and organizations that have put forth consistent, unselfish, and considerable service to the people around them and their communities. At the GVEC Annual Meeting held on June 26, Wilfred Bartoskewitz of Geronimo was presented with the 2025 Individual Public Service Award.
Wilfred Bartoskewitz is a fifth-generation Guadalupe County farmer and rancher whose life’s work has been defined by service to agriculture, youth and community. Beginning his journey in 1957, Wilfred has dedicated decades to preserving agricultural heritage and investing in the next generation. In 2010, his family was honored with the Family Land Heritage Award at the Texas State Capitol for over 100 years of continuous service to Texas agriculture.
A steadfast supporter of 4-H and FFA youth, Wilfred has been involved with the Guadalupe County Youth Show since its early days, regularly contributing as a Premium Buyer and funding scholarships for graduating seniors pursuing agriculture degrees. His community leadership spans numerous boards and organizations, including the Luling Foundation, Navarro ISD, Capital Farm Credit, USDA Farm Service Agency, Farm Bureau, and Friedens Church, among many others.
In 2003, Wilfred helped establish the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center. The Ag Center, or the Big Red Barn, as it’s affectionately known, is located on his working farm to educate visitors of all ages about the roots and relevance of agriculture. Soon after, Wilfred founded the Bartoskewitz Farm Foundation and donated 20 acres of land to Navarro ISD for the construction of the Navarro High School Agricultural Education and Technology Center. Along with that, he developed the E.C.A. Puls Farm Heritage Center for students to use for their livestock and equipment projects as well as the Seguin Area Community Foundation. The Ag Center received GVEC’s Organization Public Service Award in 2014.
Wilfred’s contributions have been recognized through countless awards, including the Texas 4-H Salute to Excellence Award, the Community Champion Award from the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the Seguin Chamber Community Service Award. His goals and dreams would not have been possible without the loving dedication of his late wife, Betty. Wilfred and Betty shared the same ambitions to preserve their faith, heritage and farming, while building a life they could share with others. Married for decades, they raised two daughters, Tina and Kelly, and built a legacy carried on by their five granddaughters, five great- grandchildren and many others across Guadalupe County and beyond.
