Texas Agricultural Extension Service- Texans have always been proud of being self-sufficient and leaders in agriculture. The state’s agricultural industry should be a cause for pride and celebration, and National Agriculture Day on March 20 seems like a good time to pause and salute our tremendous system of food and fiber production in Texas.
For openers, the sales of farm and ranch products totaled some $14 billion in Texas in 1995. Add to that the multiplier effect of agriculture’s impact and you come up with a statewide contribution of about $45 billion. That’s a big part of the Texas economy and one of which we should all be proud.
The Texas Agricultural Extension Service of The Texas A&M University System has for more than 80 years provided farmers, ranchers and consumers with the latest technological and educational programs to provide vitality to the magnificent food and fiber system in the state.
Texas is the number two state in agricultural receipts behind California, but it is the leading state in the production of a number of commodities, including cotton, cattle, sheep, goats, wool and mohair. Texas also is first in value of farm real estate, the number of farms and ranches (185,000), and the amount of farm and ranch land.
In addition, Texas’ food and fiber industry has a huge impact on the state’s workforce, accounting for about 20 percent of all jobs.
Perhaps more important than the economic impact of the state’s agricultural industry is the fact that Texas farmers and ranchers produce a wide variety of high quality food products for our dining tables. One only has to make a quick visit to a local market to see the many high quality fruits and vegetables and other products that grace the counters and shelves to appreciate the tremendous job done by today’s farmers and ranchers.
Producers are continuing to reduce pesticide use as we become more sophisticated in using new technologies and management systems to control insect pests and plant and animal diseases. For example, our efforts in integrated pest management have enabled producers to reduce pesticide use on some crops by as much as 60 percent. All this means a higher quality food product for consumers. After all, farmers and ranchers are also consumers and desire nutritious, safe food for themselves and their families just like the rest of us.
Agriculture has come a long way in Texas as well as across the nation, and we should be proud of what has been achieved. Consumers have access to wholesome food products at a fraction of the cost that folks in other countries have to pay. In the U.S. folks spend about 10 percent of their disposable income for food — a bargain in every sense of the word. And it’s food that is readily available. Can you recall the last time there was a scarcity of your favorite food item? I believe we should be thankful that the United States has the most abundant, safest and most affordable food supply in the world.
Texas’ system of food and fiber production exudes excellence and is a tribute to the hard-working men and women who make it go — from those who raise the crops and livestock to those engaged in processing, distribution and marketing. It works like a well-oiled machine, and we are all better off because of it.
Let’s be proud of our food and fiber system! It’s helped make Texas great and has contributed immensely to our independence and our quality of life. March 20 is Agriculture Day. Let us all stand up and salute Texas agriculture and celebrate the lifeblood of this state. Please join me in a hearty “pat on the back” to those who work so hard daily to give us sustenance.
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