AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced that March 18-24 is National Agricultural Week in Texas – a time to recognize the state’s hardworking farmers and ranchers and acknowledge their contributions to the Texas economy – $73 billion a year.
“Take time especially on March 21, National Agriculture Day, to recognize, celebrate and thank the many individuals who help shape our Texas agriculture industry,” Commissioner Staples said. “From nutritious foods to high-quality fiber and fresh plants, agriculture provides us with the necessities of life while helping ensure a robust economy for all Texans.”
The agriculture industry is currently going through a major transformation. New innovations and advances in technology are turning Texas agriculture into a high tech business. The application of new equipment like global positioning systems, self-propelled machine operations and electronic data has changed the nature of the business. To maintain the leadership role in agriculture, it is important for Texas producers to remain on the cutting edge of this new technology.
From the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, Texas is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation. Agriculture is the state’s second largest industry and employs about one out of every seven working Texans. Eighty percent of the state’s land is in some form of agricultural production.
American farmers are working harder and are more efficient than ever before, and it shows. Today, each producer feeds more than 129 people. Agricultural crops are America’s top exports and are vitally important in sustaining a healthy economy.
All aspects of the agriculture industry, all the way from the farm gate to the clothing store and grocery store, are vital links in a chain that brings food and fiber to every citizen and millions of people abroad.
For more on Ag Week, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Web site at www.agr.state.tx.us.
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