Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Parr Rosson, 979-845-2116, prosson@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Attendees at the Texas A&M University department of agricultural economics tailgate program recently heard experts discuss the future of U.S. farm programs and agricultural trade, while sharing fellowship over food and drink prior to the Aggies win over the University of South Carolina.
The tailgate program has become an annual tradition, providing the opportunity for former students to return to A&M and hear more about farm issues affecting policy and the economy, said Dr. Parr Rosson, department head.
Attendees at the Texas A&M University department of agricultural economics tailgate program recently heard experts discuss the future of U.S. farm programs and agricultural trade, while sharing fellowship over food and drink prior to the Aggies win over the University of South Carolina. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Blair Fannin)
“It’s a great opportunity for our former students to come back to A&M and catch up on important issues farmers and ranchers are facing in Texas, and at the same time see old friends and enjoy a networking opportunity with our current students,” Rosson said. “We’d like to thank the many individuals who sponsored our tailgate activities as we had more than 650 take part in making this another successful event.”
Dr. Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M in College Station and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, provided an update on agricultural policy. Outlaw said current issues include NAFTA and overall agricultural trade, heightened consumer interest in how food is produced, immigration and labor, low crop prices and the debate over the next farm bill.
Dr. Luis Ribera, director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M and AgriLife Extension economist, College Station, discussed the importance of agricultural trade and the U.S. farm economy.
“The U.S. is the largest agricultural exporter with $135 billion worth of exports in 2016,” Ribera said. “Exports account for about 35 percent of agricultural income. U.S. imports totaled $115 billion in 2016, so both exports and imports contribute significant economic impacts.”
The program also featured both undergraduate and graduate study-abroad programs. Undergraduate students Jason Edmondson, Burnet, and Tyler White, Decatur, discussed their travel abroad experience to Ghana, while Jace Martin, Richmond, summarized travels to Scotland. Andrew Hazelwood, Amarillo, presented his travel experience to Ireland, while the graduate student team of Lainey Bourgeois, Fredericksburg, Enrique Pinon, Santa Maria, California, and Victor Galindo, Mexico City, shared their travels to Swaziland.
The Texas A&M University department of agricultural economics tailgate program included special recognition to Betty Raun, honoring both current and former recipients of the Lowell Raun Book Scholarship given to undergraduate agricultural economics students at Texas A&M. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Blair Fannin)
The program concluded with special recognition to Betty Raun, honoring both current and former recipients of the Lowell Raun Book Scholarship given to undergraduate agricultural economics students at Texas A&M.
-30-
