Dateline: January 17, 2008

Ag impact hits $100B benchmark

COLLEGE STATION – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples touted the work ethic of Texas farmers and ranchers Tuesday discussing an economic milestone. For the first time in history, statewide agriculture production in 2007 contributed more than $100 billion to the Texas economy.

“All Texans should be proud of the dedicated men and women who live and breathe agriculture daily, providing food and fiber to feed and clothe their fellow Texans,” Staples said at the Texas A&M AgriLife Conference at Texas A&M University.

Texas leads the nation in the number of cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and deer. The state also ranks first in production of cotton, wool, mohair, and hay.

The Texas agriculture industry employs nearly 2 million Texans, contributing approximately nine percent of the gross state product.

“Folks, it’s an amazing story to tell,” Staples said. “We have to tell it everyday, and the key is to tell the story effectively and get people’s attention.”

One in seven individuals in Texas is employed “in some form of agriculture,” and everyone in the industry has to be involved in branding, marketing, and selling, the commissioner said.

“Each of us has to energize our agricultural industry, excite the public, and tell them how breakthroughs make their lives better,” he said.

Dr. Elsa Murano, president of Texas A&M University and former vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, told attendees that “your work is life enhancing, and I certainly value the recognition you bring to Texas A&M University.”

Promoting partnerships and collaborative work among the colleges at Texas A&M is one of many goals Murano outlined. She touted Texas A&M’s bioenergy alliance, an ongoing research program investigating alternative fuels among both the agriculture and engineering programs, as a lead example.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who received the Texas A&M AgriLife Outstanding Public Servant Award, also emphasized the importance of telling Americans how important agriculture is and how it plays a key role in daily life.

“It’s more important than ever to tell the positive impact of AgriLife,” he said. “Strong values come from rural life, and it may depend on how well we tell the story that agriculture is life.”

The Texas A&M AgriLife Conference brings together Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.