2025 DON AND DOÑA

Cyndie and Dale Murden of Harlingen, Texas, have spent many years faithfully serving and supporting the agricultural community.

Dale was born in Harlingen, the oldest son of Richard Murden of Elsa and Margaret Fleming of Santa Rosa. His family’s Valley roots run deep—one of his grandmothers was born in La Feria in 1916. Altogether, the Murdens proudly trace over 110 years in the Rio Grande Valley and more than 150 years as Native Texans. A graduate of Lyford High School, Dale was raised on the fields of his grandparents' farm in Santa Rosa and along the turn rows of Willacy County, where he developed an early love for farming. He recalls stomping cotton long before module builders, hauling trailers to the old Davis Kirkland Gin, and spending countless hours on one- and two-row harvesting equipment—work that shaped who he is today. Though widely known for his work in citrus, Dale has always had a passion for cotton. He spent more than 25 years at Rio Farms, working alongside Andy Scott on cotton breeding projects and helping bring in several First Bales with Tom Kilgore and Charlie Cook. Dale has held numerous leadership roles in service to agriculture. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, the National Sorghum Producers, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Delta Lake Irrigation District, and Texas Citrus Mutual. He has also served on the boards of Texas Farm Bureau, Hidalgo County Farm Bureau, and Monte Alto I.S.D.

His contributions have earned him several honors, including the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award, Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture, and King Citrus. Still, Dale counts his proudest achievement as earning the State FFA’s Lone Star Farmer Degree in high school—a milestone he credits to his ag teacher, Harold Parker.

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Cyndie was born in Mission, Texas, the eldest child of Billy Schmidt of Mission and Faye Whittle of Harlingen. A proud Sharyland High School graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, graduating Sigma Cum Laude. She credits her time in Sharyland FFA as a key influence in her life.

Cyndie currently serves as a Loan Officer with Texas Farm Credit and as an agricultural marketing associate with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting. She also serves on the Cameron County Farm Bureau board and recently contributed to the State Resolutions Committee for Texas Farm Bureau. Her family’s agricultural roots are also planted firmly in the Valley. Her family once owned the Schmidt Packing Shed in Mission, growing citrus and vegetables. After the 1949 freeze, they shifted to cotton and cattle. That same packing shed later became the Harmony House Piano and Organ Store—a beloved family business. Cyndie’s Harlingen ties are equally strong. Her grandfather, Grady Whittle, was the longtime principal of Harlingen High School, and her grandmother, Cynthia Whittle, served as an English teacher and choir director there. Grady also operated several nurseries in what is now the Harlingen High School South area.

They are the proud parents of three children—Ryan, Christopher, and Alix. Alix served as the Duchess of Willacy Count in 2014. They are also the joyful grandparents of three. Though if you ask them, they’re still not quite ready to admit they’re old enough for that title!

Together, Dale and Cyndie belong to the Rio Grande Valley, where they’ve raised citrus, cattle, and horses. 

They served on the Algodon Board of Directors and were honored to be Presidents in 2022. Their commitment to agriculture extends well beyond participation in various boards and committees, and they continue to advocate for the advancement and sustainability of the agricultural industry.