Tyler Flowers grew up in a Mississippi farming community and graduated from MSU with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He wasn’t exposed to wine until he met a young woman who grew up in Sonoma Wine Country; he is now married to her and together they have a family. He’s interned for a US Senator, attended UC Davis’s Wine Executive Program, and has developed a passion for wine and viticulture. He joined American AgCredit a few years ago to manage relationships with some of their wine industry customers and recently joined the board of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers. Here’s his story.
You were born in the south. Tell us about where you grew up and what family life was like.
That’s correct – I grew up in Starkville, MS, a college town and home of Mississippi State University. The town is surrounded by other small farming communities; I grew up on the family farm where we raised cattle. It was an exceptional place to grow up – there was a strong sense of family and community. I hold fond memories of my early life there, especially helping on the farm and learning to cook southern staples in my grandmother’s kitchen; I still know her buttermilk biscuit recipe by heart. That community and way of life is similar to this region of California, both in their tangible commitments to family and their agricultural roots; that’s a big part of what makes me feel at home here.
How did your family celebrate special occasions? Was wine included in those celebrations?
Wine was not a household item when I was growing up and did not become a part of my life until much later on. As a child, our family’s celebrations revolved around family and food – looking back on it, wine was the missing ingredient. Wine really became something meaningful to me after I started dating my wife, who is originally from Sonoma County. We began visiting her family, where wine had a place in celebrations and family gatherings, and we were surrounded by the beautiful vineyards throughout Sonoma County. I fell in love with the connection between wine and family and the sense of place you feel from it all being brought to life here in this community.
You graduated from Mississippi State University with a BS in Agricultural Economics. What motivated you to pursue a degree in Agriculture?
I wish I could say that I knew from an early age I’d pursue a degree in Agricultural Economics – what kid doesn’t dream of commodity futures and economic theory – but, like most students, my interests changed frequently. I was interested in veterinary medicine for a while, then engineering, and after a short but exciting stint in political science, I landed in Ag-Econ. The curriculum was exciting, fit well with my background and interests, and I knew it would prepare me to serve the next generation of agriculture.
In 2009 you interned for Senator Roger Wicker. How did you land that position? What was your most memorable experience as an intern in DC? Were you considering a political career?
Between my second and third year of college, I landed a summer internship in Washington D.C. I was the only ag kid in the intern class, so I got to shadow the legislative aid working on agriculture policy and the farm bill. It was a transformative experience seeing how agricultural policies are created. I wasn’t really considering a political career at that time, but I did gain an appreciation for how local, state and federal agriculture agencies shape the policies affecting our nation’s farmers – I learned quite a lot and it really solidified my interest in the field I work in now, which is with American AgCredit as part of the Farm Credit System.
You’ve been with American AgCredit for over three years and your current position is a Senior Relationship Manager. What is American AgCredit’s purpose and what type of clients do you serve?
I’m proud to have joined American AgCredit in 2021 and work with an excellent team here in Northern California. As a relationship manager, I have the pleasure of working directly with the region’s farming families and agribusiness leaders. My tenure here has been marked by growth and happiness as I’ve developed relationships with the farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in the region and learned the ins-and-outs of their industries. While the wine/winegrape, dairy, and timber industries dominate Northern California, we’re committed to serving all sectors of agriculture and the rural communities throughout our region.
American AgCredit is a member-owned cooperative and part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide agricultural network that serves rural America by providing credit and affiliated services to farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. We are a leading provider of farm loan, lease, and crop insurance products, each customized to the unique needs of our customers’ growing businesses.
Two years ago, you attended the Wine Executive Program at UC Davis. Were you involved in the wine business at that time or was that program intended to help you break into the industry? What inspired you to get involved with wine?
I was already knee-deep in the wine industry when I discovered the UC Davis Wine Executive Program. It was a natural attraction given the University’s incredible reputation in the industry and the fact that the program’s curriculum offered a deep-dive into all segments of the industry. Not only did we explore all facets of the industry – ranging from viticulture and enology to accounting, marketing, and legal aspects of the business – but I was joined by an impressive cohort of professionals who share my passion for wine and vit. The program was incredibly valuable in both the knowledge I gained and connections made.
At the end of 2024 you were elected to the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers’ Board of Directors. How did you get connected with the organization and why did you agree to take on this additional assignment?
I’ve been connected to the Petaluma Gap for several years now through both personal and professional relationships, as well as through an avid appreciation for the Gap’s wine and food scene. I became connected to the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers’ Board through a relationship with another Director who softly recruited me over Thai food at lunch one day. It didn’t take much convincing as I recall and I jumped at the opportunity to serve the Gap’s growers and wineries in this formal setting. What I’ve noticed in working with the Gap’s members is how tremendously hard they work. While it is a younger AVA, there is so much forward momentum to show the world what can be made here – it’s hard not to be inspired to action.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Would wine be a facet of that trip?
My travel bucket-list is almost exclusively based on food and wine – France, Spain and Italy are at the top of my list. Ideally, a rail trip through the countries dotted by small, picturesque towns with local wine and good food and lively people. I’ll have to figure out how to keep my children entertained or wait until they’re the legal drinking age. At least they won’t be bored with museums on my watch.
If you were hosting a winemaker for dinner at your house, what would you serve? Do you have a favorite food and wine pairing?
My culinary tastes far exceed my culinary skills, so if I were hosting a winemaker at home I’d have to go with the one meal I can reliably pull-off – a New York strip with asparagus and potatoes along with a Sonoma County pinot noir. Culinary limitations aside, my all-time favorite pairing is a southern staple – creole shrimp and grits paired with chardonnay. It’s not a full meal without a chocolate pairing for dessert.
At the end of the day, how do you decide if it was a good day, an ok day, or one that you’d rather not repeat?
The answer to this question has evolved over the years, but these days I typically ask myself two questions: Did I create value for someone today and would my family be proud of what I accomplished today? Life can be stressful at times, but bringing it back to the basics helps to refocus.
Is there anything else you’d like the readers to know about you?
I think we’ve covered all the basics. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers and give back to the AVA. It’s a remarkable group of dedicated individuals pursuing their dreams and telling their stories and I believe it will have a lasting impact on the community.
