NACOGDOCHES – Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs will speak on the state of agriculture and rural development at the Build East Texas annual conference at the Fredonia Hotel here on May 5.
As in previous years, the Build East Texas (BET) Agricultural Conference will feature presentations by experts on a wide range of topics important to the agricultural community, said Tony Douglas, BET conference coordinator and district director for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Dr. James Hull, director of the Texas Forest Service, will speak on, “What Landowners Need to Know About the New Forestry Tax Bill.” The Texas Reforestation and Conservation Act, which became effective last year, allows landowners to reduce their taxes for forested land by planting and conservation efforts.
Dr. Monte Rouquette, professor of forage physiology with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, will discuss, “Management Strategies to Meet Beef Industry Challenges.” Changing market demands and climatic irregularities have put the financial squeeze on Texas beef producers during the 1990s. Rouquette will offer strategies based on the latest forage research to help producers relieve the pressure.
Dr. James Kroll, director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Forest Resource Institute, will speak on “Mapping and Informational Services Available to Private Landowners.”
Congressman Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, is scheduled to give an update on the current federal legislation being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Commissioner Combs will speak on current initiatives of the Texas Department of Agriculture, including its GO TEXAN marketing campaign and Partner Programs, urban school grants, communication efforts, 2001 Legislative initiative, rural economic development efforts, drought initiatives, agriculture education and other TDA programs.
“We are facing many changes, and I’m a firm believer the future of Texas is bright,” Combs said in a pre-conference release.
The agriculture sector, generating $80 billion to the Texas economy and the second largest industry in Texas, is vital to the state’s prosperity, Combs said.
“Texas cannot prosper unless rural Texas prospers. Agriculture relies on education, marketing, economic development and other programs to keep Texas vibrant,” Combs said.
At-the-door registration for the conference begins at 9 a.m. Registration fees are $15 for adults and $10 for students. The registration fee includes lunch and refreshments during the mid-morning break. The formal program will begin at 9:15 a.m., with lunch and the awards ceremony beginning at noon. Combs is slated to speak at 1:10 p.m. The conference will adjourn after Combs’ speech.
To ensure enough meals are prepared, Douglas urged participants to preregister.
Those wishing to attend the conference, which is open to the general public, may acquire a registration form from their local county Extension office. Alternately, they may mail a note listing the names of adults and/or students attending, along with a check payable to “BET” to Tony Douglas, BET coordinator, P.O. Box 38, Overton, TX 75684.
The Build East Texas Program area consists of 37 counties in East Texas, including Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Jasper, Leon, Madison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Walker and Wood.
The Texas Agricultural Extension Service works closely with the Build East Texas program. Membership in the BET Program is voluntary and open to everyone.
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