Go Texan 2014

GO TEXAN
AGRICULTURE IS YOUR CULTURE
A RICH WAY OF LIFE

Roots of agriculture run deep in Texas
COTTON IS KING
Follow the journey of the states top crop
COMMUNITY AG PROGRAMS INSPIRE YOUNG TEXANS

Commissioner Todd Staples // Texas Department of Agriculture // TX-agriculture.com // 2014
LEADING THE NATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7 Welcome Letter 8 Texas Agriculture 12 A Way of Life
Texas families have deep roots in farming and ranching
Crops, Plants & Forestry
GO TEXAN
AGRICULTURE IS YOUR CULTURE
2014
18 A Texas Staple
Lone Star State ranks first for cotton production Follow the journey of the Texas cotton crop Learn more about other row crops grown in the Lone Star State Texas-grown specialty crops range from pecans to onions Texas horticulture industry generates $18 billion Best management practices improve forestry sustainability, economic impact
24 From Field to Fiber 27 Rows of Success 28 Produce It All
32 Business Is Blooming 36 Standing Solid
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GO TEXAN 2014
Animals, Livestock & Seafood

42 Cattle Drive
Beef industry dominates Texas economy Texas cattle breed fueled ranching industry Get on board with Texas wild-caught shrimp and fish
Local Food
66 The Secret Ingredient 69 GO TEXAN
Texas chefs look to local foods Statewide program encourages local movement Texas students dine on Texas-grown foods Texas economy benefits from states growing wine industry
48 The Legendary Longhorn 50 Sold on Seafood
70 Cafeteria Connections 71 Valued Vines
Agricultural Education
52 Boots, Spurs & Cowboy Hats 58 GROWing Leaders
Rodeos and livestock shows positively impact Texas youth Texas students get schooled in agriculture while preparing for future careers
Innovation in Agriculture
72 Green by Design
Red Caboose Winery combines profitability, sustainability and innovation
Economic Development
62 A Changing Landscape
Agriculture looks to strength of communities for success
On the Cover Siblings Ben and Railey Mikeska of Dripping Springs exhibit beef cattle at livestock shows across the state.
PHOTO BY FRANK ORDOEZ
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ANIMALS, LIVESTOCK & SEAFOOD
Visit us online at
A LOOK INSIDE
Cattle Drive
Beef industry dominates agricultural economy
Hairgrove, a veterinarian and program coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Cow-calf producers raise the calf from birth to weaning age, which is when the calf no longer nurses from the cow. Stockers and cow-calf producers grow the weaned calf on pastures to a heavier weight. Cattle feeders, or
Welcome to
TEXAS CATTLE RANCHERS
continue to feel the heat as drought dried up most of the states pastures through early 2013. But Texas didnt become the countrys leading cattle state without meeting challenges, and each segment of the industry is positioning for recovery. The beef cattle industry in Texas has three main segments, says Tom
THREE INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
feedlots, raise cattle from stocker weights to harvest. Producers usually focus on one segment, but even though theyre independent, they rely on each other, Hairgrove says. One quarter of the nations fed cattle are raised here in Texas. Cow-calf and stocker operations are located statewide, with much of the states cow herd concentrated in the eastern part
PHOTO BY RUSSELL A. GRAVES
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The roots of agriculture run deep in Texas and not just in the fields of our farmers and ranchers. At this very moment, Texas agriculture is helping feed and clothe our families, build our homes and drive innovation. Plus, it provides a $100 billion boost to our state economy. Agriculture contributes to science, medicine, education and fashion. It keeps us healthy. It adds color to our state and the world. Its a dynamic industry that reaches across the farmers fence and into our daily lives. Much of our states history, culture and pride can be traced back to our agricultural roots. One out of every seven working Texans is employed in an ag-related job. Thats what makes GO TEXAN magazine so special. It is a tribute to the men and women who nurture our lands and make Texas agriculture known throughout the world. I invite you to explore the GO TEXAN magazine and take an insiders look at how Texas agriculture is influencing the people and products of our great state. Find out how your favorite pair of jeans or comfy cotton t-shirt makes its way from the field to store shelves or how restaurants are looking to local farms for their culinary inspiration. Texas agriculture is as diverse as the vast lands that make up the Lone Star State. Agriculture is critical to the life of every Texan. I am confident that soon you will love and value Texas agriculture as much as I do. I believe we really do things bigger and better in Texas. Remember, its not bragging if its the truth. Enjoy the GO TEXAN magazine! Sincerely,
Visit us online at
Todd Staples Texas Agriculture Commissioner
TX-AGRICULTURE.COM
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OVERVIEW
Texas Agriculture
Everything is bigger in the Lone Star State, including agriculture
COwBOYS AND ENDLESS BLUE
skies are one of Texas claims to fame. Both can often be seen from the 144 million acres of rural land spanning across the state. Within its population of 26 million people, 12 percent of Texas residents live in rural areas, and one out of seven Texans rely on agriculture for their livelihood. An astounding 98.5 percent of the 247,500 farms and ranches are family farms or familyheld corporations. The Lone Star State boasts a variety of topographical and climate features. This variety allows Texas to support numerous crops and products. Plains, coastlines, mountains and basins make up the landscape, and the state is so vast that it contains approximately 1,100 different types of soil. Agriculture is the second-largest industry in the state. The economic impact of the food and fiber sector is more than $100 billion annually. Cash receipts from agriculture totaled $22.7 billion annually during 2011, and revenue from agricultural exports totaled more than $7.6 billion in 2011. Texas is the top producing state in the country for a number of agricultural commodities. Cattle, cotton, sheep and goats, wool and mohair, and hay are some the states most-produced commodities. True to its reputation, Texas is No. 1 in the nation for cattle production. There are about 149,000 cattle operations in the state with 11.3 million head of cattle. Beef and veal exports alone were worth $961 million in 2011. Hides and skins brought in another $472 million on the international market. Texas produces 13.3 percent of the meat in the U.S., which accounts for 50 percent of the states agricultural income. Although the cattle industry dominates the public perception of Texas, fiber production is an integral part of the states economy. In 2012, farmers produced 5 million bales of cotton. Not to be overlooked, wool and mohair also are popular fibers. In 2012, 700,000 sheep and lambs produced 2.3 million pounds of wool. Needless to say, Texas has an agricultural industry befitting its size. With millions of acres producing countless commodities, agriculture provides jobs, food and income for Texans and others across the globe. Hannah Patterson
TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES TOTAL
$7.6B
The Texas food and fiber industry generates more than $100 billion for the economy annually.
98.5% OF TEXAS FARMS AND RANCHES ARE FAMILY FARMS, PARTNERSHIPS OR FAMILY-HELD CORPORATIONS.
Whats Online
Access more agriculture facts at TX-agriculture.com.
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1 out of every 7 working Texans is in an agriculture-related job.
247,500 farms and ranches

COVERING 130.4 MILLION ACRES.
TEXAS LEADS THE NATION WITH
Texas has approximately
different soils within its borders.

Rural lands, including privately-owned forests, total 144 million acres. Thats 86 percent of the states total land area.
1,100
Texas leads the nation in:
CATTLE
COTTON
HAY
SHEEP AND WOOL
GOATS AND MOHAIR
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Top Agriculture Products

Texas top commodities, based on cash receipts
CATTLE AND CALVES
The Lone Star States cattle industry ranks No. 1 in the nation. This commodity contributed $10.5 billion to the states economy in 2012.
CORN
In 2012, Texas farmers planted 1.9 million acres of corn. Corn production generated $1.2 billion in farm income in 2012.
COTTON
Texas ranks No. 1 in the nation for cotton production. In 2012, cotton production generated $2.2 billion in agricultural income for the state.
GRAIN SORGHUM
Texas represented 45 percent of the total grain sorghum produced in the U.S. during 2012, which is valued at $703 million.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Texas is No. 6 in milk production in the U.S., generating $1.8 billion in 2012. The states dairy products include milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
WHEAT
Texas producers planted 5.7 million acres of winter wheat in 2012. A total of 96 million bushels were harvested, a value of $ 653 million.
BROILERS
Generating $1.7 billion in production value in 2012, Texas raised 605,500 broilers. That equaled 3.5 billion total pounds of poultry produced.
VEGETABLES AND MELONS

Texas is the nations eighth largest producer of fresh vegetables, generating $439 million in 2012.
GREENHOUSE & NURSERY

Trees, plants, shrubs, flowers and other horticultural products contributed $1.3 billion to the states economy in 2012.
CHICKEN EGGS
In 2012, Texas produced $439 million worth of chicken eggs. The states egg industry generated 1,890 jobs in 2009.
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HERITAGE
A Way of
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ORDOEZ
Texas families nurture deep roots in farming and ranching
Life
Bill Selman and his son Wes Selman represent the sixth and seventh generations to operate their familys ranch along the Guadalupe River in Gonzalez, Texas.
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TEXAS FARMERS HAVE STRONG
values family, land, tradition, conservation, responsibility and so does the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Thats why TDA created the Family Land Heritage Program, which recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for more than 100 years. Since the Family Land Heritage Program began in 1974, it has recognized more than 4,800 farms and ranches in 239 counties across the state. Through farming or raising livestock on the same soil as previous
generations, these families have a unique sense of pride in the land and feel a responsibility for using that land to produce food to feed the worlds growing population. The Family Land Heritage program recognizes the hard work of Texas farmers and ranchers who always strive to get the most out of their land, but also to leave it in the best possible shape for the next generation, says Texas rancher Jim Selman. And Selman, 82, knows about land being passed down through the generations. In 1861, Selmans great-greatgrandfather purchased 300 acres of
SELMAN RANCH
land. Since then, every generation has added to it, and now, Selman runs a cow-calf operation on 2,029 acres in Gonzales County and leases out 1,000 more acres. Selman grew up on the ranch, but had to work off the farm as an agricultural extension agent from the 1950s until 1986 because of severe drought conditions something all Texas farmers can understand. All this time I was still ranching, but I had to do it at a distance in order to keep my property, Selman says. My goal was always to get back to the ranch full time. Throughout his life, Selman has always believed he had an obligation
Bottom Left: A ranch sign celebrates its Texas heritage. Bottom Right: Gonzales County rancher Ray Wilson raises beef cattle on land thats been in his family sine 1861.
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to raise food for the worlds growing population, and through estate planning, he is ensuring that his land will be kept together and hopefully used for that purpose long after he cant raise cattle anymore. People dont realize how important it is to keep land in production, he says. Weve been feeding the world all these years, and now we have less and less acreage available. Land is priceless; were not making any more of it. Ray and Faye Wilson feel the same way. Land is the only thing weve got on earth that remains unchanged,
THE AVERAGE TEXAS FARMER OR RANCHER IS
RAY WILSON RANCH
YEARS OLD.
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Texas leads the nation in total value of farm and ranch real estate.
Land is the only thing weve got on earth that remains unchanged.
RAY WILSON
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Bill Selman vaccinates his beef cattle herd. A proactive vaccination program is important to keep the cattle healthy and disease-free.
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says 87-year-old Ray Wilson, a retired university chemistry professor and Family Land Heritage Program honoree. If the person who owns the land doesnt raise food, people are going to starve. Wilson, who served in the United States Navy during World War II, went on to become the first AfricanAmerican male to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 1953. No matter what he pursued in life whether it was joining the Navy, earning his Ph.D., getting a law degree, teaching college students or selling real estate he never abandoned his land or farming. Hes raised cattle and hogs and grown peanuts, corn and hay. He says his newest farming venture will be certified organic fruit and vegetable production. The Wilson family originally owned 114 acres, which was given to Rays great-aunt, Mattie Wade, after she was liberated from slavery. Ray bought more land throughout his life, and he now owns more than 400 acres near Giddings and Fort Bend. Ray started working on the farm early in his childhood. Daddy started me farming at 5 years old, he says. At age 7, I was driving a tractor and everything. Farming is a character you carry along with you. Its what my mother and dad did, and its what I do. Although Ray had job offers at universities across the country when he earned his Ph.D., he and his wife Faye decided to stay in Texas. Farming made my husband who he is, says Faye, who didnt grow up on a farm, but has embraced the lifestyle wholeheartedly. I believe in the farming, but its a hard life. Its in his bones. He loves to do hard work. Ive learned a lot, and as a matter of fact, I enjoy it, too. Jill Clair Gentry
Whats Online
Learn more about the Texas Family Land Heritage program at TX-agriculture.com
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CROPS, PLANTS & FORESTRY
A Texas
Staple
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Lone Star State ranks rst for cotton production

IN TEXAS, THE FUTURE OF
cotton isnt about growing more, its about growing it better. Texas is already the best in the nation at growing cotton, producing roughly one-third of the U.S. cotton crop. Historically, East Texas was the primary cotton-producing region, says Darren Hudson, director of the Cotton Economics Research Institute at Texas Tech University. Cotton is still grown over there to some extent, but over time, cotton production has gravitated westward and to some extent southward. Cotton has always been, and still is, grown in the Coastal Bend and along the Upper Coast. But today, the High Plains is the big producer of cotton. The total economic impact of cotton in Texas is more than $24 billion, with approximately five million bales of cotton produced annually. Hudson says that figure wont likely change in the future, but technology and biotechnology will continue to improve efficiencies and genetics. That means cotton is going to be a viable crop and one of the biggest cash crops were going to have in Texas, he says. Fourth-generation cotton farmer Jon Whatley says advancements in technology and biotechnology have already impacted his business. The biggest transition since I started farming has been the advent of technology allowing us to farm more efficiently and with less trouble, Whatley says. In the last 15 years, weve substantially changed how we operate. Biotechnology has allowed us to apply fewer chemicals and increase the health of the plant. We have newer varieties available that work better regionally, and that
FARMING MORE EFFICIENTLY
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The Whatley family represents the third, fourth and fth generations to grow cotton in the Coastal Bend region of Texas.
has increased our yields. Whatleys cotton is grown on his 5,000-acre farm located in Odem, Texas. We have created a niche in the Coastal Bend region thanks to the quality of our cotton, he says. It matches some of the varieties grown in Arizona and California, but ours comes off a couple of months earlier, so were able to fill that market need. Whatley sees a bright future for the cotton industry. Its a natural fiber, and thats what people want, he says. Texas is going to benefit from the demand for cotton because we grow so much of it. The industry has its ups and downs, but its still thriving through technology and research. The supply chain from the farm to a department store is a complex world. A pair of jeans has about two pounds of cotton, Hudson says. Its amazingly small, but from a margin perspective, its important. Farmers are always dealing with cost pressures, and technology helps with that by giving productivity gains.

COTTON INDUSTRYS FUTURE
In 2012, Texas farmers harvested 5 million bales of cotton, a from the droughtreduced 2011 crop.
Top Texas Cotton Counties:

1. Lubbock 2. Hale 3. Gaines 4. Crosby 5. Floyd
43% increase
3.9 million acres

WITH AN AVERAGE YIELD OF 615 POUNDS PER ACRE IN 2012.
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FARMERS HARVESTED COTTON FROM
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Prior to the collapse of the textile industry, approximately 70 percent of the cotton produced in Texas was milled in the U.S. Today, nearly all cotton produced in Texas goes into the global market. Market change resulted in a need to transform the product itself, says Dr. Dean Ethridge, managing director of the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute (FBRI) at Texas Tech University. The best cotton is going to be the longest, the strongest and the finest, Ethridge says. FBRIs mission is to add value to cotton. One way of achieving that goal is the use of sophisticated instruments to measure fiber properties that are being bred into new seed lines. Hudson also notes that work at FBRI has changed the cotton industry in Texas and across the country. Research is developing droughttolerant varieties, Hudson says. Biotechnology, technology and water management are the focus going forward. Weve got challenges, but cotton has been a good thing for us in Texas, and it will continue to be a good thing. We have turned our attention to technology and management practices that will allow us to meet the production challenges ahead. Kim Madlom
NEW MARKETS
Left: Father-son farm team Robert and Jon Whatley inspect cotton bolls. Right: Jon Whatley utilizes tractors and other equipment daily on the farm.
COTTON PRODUCTION
Texas: 5 million bales Georgia: 2.75 million bales Arkansas: 1.3 million bales California: 1.2 million bales North Carolina: 1.2 million bales
Texas ranks as the top U.S. state for cot ton production, with 2.2 million more bales yielded than the No. 2 state, Georgia, in 2012.
TEXAS PRODUCES ABOUT
OF THE ENTIRE U.S. COTTON CROP.
34%
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TEXAS CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS
Caring for families

Memories are made at Texas Christmas Tree Farms as families choose and cut their own Christmas trees.
Caring for the land

Texas Christmas trees are renewable, recyclable resources that are grown close to home.
Caring for Texas
The members of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association are family farmers who help keep agriculture close to the people.
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From Field to Fiber

Follow the journey of the Texas cotton crop
1. Soil Preparation
Before planting can begin, farmers test the soil to determine what additional nutrients are needed. Different areas in the eld are tested to determine the necessary amount to fertilize and with the ultimate goal of adding only whats necessary to grow a good crop. Cotton farmers, like all crop producers, utilize best management practices when making soil preparation decisions.
2. Planting
Planting can begin as early as February in South Texas and continue into late May or early June in the High Plains. Before planting can begin, the seedbed is prepared, according to the planting method the farmer will use. Some farmers till the soil to plow up any weeds that would compete with the cotton plant for nutrients and to form ridges, or rows. Many other farmers utilize no-till or reduced-tillage practices, which minimizes the overall impact on the eld. The seeds are then planted with mechanical planters that can cover as many as 10 to 24 rows at a time, and it takes about 5 to 10 days for the seedlings to emerge.
3. Irrigation and Water Management
Water is one of the most important factors necessary to grow a good cotton crop. Physiologically, a cotton plant can endure periods of drought, but it responds favorably to optimum water, which results in a better crop. Many farmers utilize irrigation systems to supplement the water needs of their cotton crop, and in 2012, some 2.2 million cotton acres in Texas were irrigated, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These technologically advanced systems allow the farmer to apply specic water quantities to the elds based on need. Other farmers rely on Mother Nature to provide the necessary rainfall to produce a good cotton crop.
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4. Pest management
Cotton is highly susceptible to aphid, mite, bollworms, boll weevils, thrips, white ies and other pests. Identifying problems requires multiple checks of the elds throughout the growing season, which is often done by crop consultants who spend up to 30 hours a week checking cotton fields for various farmers. Many Texas farmers have an integrated pest management system that uses both predator insects and insecticides.
5. Harvesting
The cotton boll is the green pod left behind when the cotton owers mature and fall off. Inside the boll, bers grow and push out. When enough bolls have turned brown and opened naturally, a defoliant can be applied by air or ground application to speed up the maturation process. This ultimately helps more bolls open and the leaves fall off. Farmers use mechanized cotton pickers to pull the ber from the plant; then the cotton is usually packed into modules, or bale-like units, before it is delivered to the gin.
6. Ginning
At the gin, the modules are broken down, and the cotton fiber is separated from the seed. The fiber is now referred to as lint and is packed into bales. A standard bale of cotton ber is 55 inches tall, 28 inches wide and 21 inches thick, weighing approximately 500 pounds. This is enough to make 325 pairs of denim jeans. The lint is shipped to textile mills or exported, while the seed is transported to cottonseed oil mills or used for livestock feed.
7. Processing
The bale is transported to a textile mill for processing. The bers are mechanically carded, or pulled in the opposite direction, to ensure they are parallel. Combing machines remove impurities in the ber before its pulled thinner and wound onto bobbins that are ready to be spun into yarn. The yarn can be used for knitting or weaving into fabric to make garments, furniture coverings and more.
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Rows of Success
Learn more about other row crops grown in the Lone Star State
hile cotton ranks No. 1 among Texas row crops, the states diverse geography also encourages the growth and success of other crops. Corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, soybeans, wheat, vegetables, melons, citrus, peaches, grapes and pecans all grow well in various regions of the state, depending on soil type, topography, rainfall, drainage and other factors.
Corn producers harvested 202 million bushels in 2012, a 47 percent increase from the prior year.
2012 WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR GRAIN SORGHUM. THE STATES PRODUCTION MORE THAN DOUBLED, COMPARED TO 2011, RANKING TEXAS AS THE NO. 1 STATE IN THE COUNTRY.
The Texas peanut industry is worth more than
1.55 million acres of corn were harvested in 2012.
$1 billion
to the states economy. Peanut farmers, shellers, equipment dealers, manufacturers and labor make up a portion of the industry that has become so valuable to Texas.
Yield averages for Texas-grown crops:
CORN
130 bushels/acre
SORGHUM
59 bushels/acre
SOYBEANS
26 bushels/acre
RICE
8,370 pounds/acre
PEANUTS
3,500 pounds/acre
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Produce It ALL
Texas-grown specialty crops range from pecans to onions
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Left: Pecan trees are native to Texas, but commercial producers also plant trees in orchards. Above: Texas is the countrys second-largest grower of onions.
top 10 states for specialty crop production, shipping produce nationwide. However, much of the fruits, vegetables and nuts grown in Texas stay in Texas. Texas is a market in itself, says J Allen Carnes, president at Winter Garden Produce in Uvalde. A third-generation vegetable producer, Carnes says his familys farm, which ships onions and cabbage across the country, has benefited from growth in the Texas market. In the last four or five years, there has been a huge emphasis on buying local, he says. As more Texans seek out produce grown nearby, the states specialty crop farms still emphasize providing fresh produce for the rest of the country. Like fresh onions: Texas is the countrys second-largest grower, harvesting 120,000 to 220,000 tons annually, according to the U.S.

TEXAS RANKS AMONG THE
THE PECAN TREE IS THE STATE TREE OF TEXAS.

Texas ranks No. 3 for pecan production, with 75 million pounds harvested in 2012. The majority of U.S. pecans are sold shelled. Only about 20 percent of the national pecan crop is sold in-shell.
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Department of Agriculture (USDA). Texas has always provided a mild onion, which is what consumers want, says Carnes, whose farm counts between 800 and 1,000 acres of onions among its 2,500 acres of vegetables. We saw demand for our onions pick up in grocery stores during the economic downturn, and now were seeing greater demand from restaurants and food service. Texas also is among the top four cabbage-growing states, harvesting 6,000 acres in 2012. Growers here can ship field-fresh produce around the country for the important St. Patricks Day market. Texas green cabbage also ships year-round, with later shipments often preserved in slaw and sauerkraut.
Texas usually plants more watermelons than any other state, with 29,000 acres of watermelons planted in 2012, which were grown on both dry land and irrigated acreage. Like other specialty crops, the Texas watermelon industry has received funding for research and market development through Specialty Crop Block Grants, a program mandated by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill. One grant, which is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, funded Texas A&M University researchers evaluation of growing irrigated watermelons alongside wheat and barley, and finding ways to combat the buildup of potentially harmful salts in irrigated soil. Cindy Wise, executive vice president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association, says that 2012 specialty crop grants also funded the development of Good Agricultural Practice guidelines for pecans and research to combat cotton root rot, which can devastate pecan plantings. Preserving pecan orchards is important, as the industry benefits from domestic and international demand. Since about 2008, China has taken an incredible interest in in-shell pecans, and thats opened up a whole new market for producers, says Wise. U.S. pecan exports totaled 152 million pounds in 2012, a 45 percent increase from 2011.
RESEARCH BREEDS IMPROVEMENTS
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PHOTO BY FRANK ORDOEZ
THE STATES WATERMELON CROP RANKS
NATIONALLY, AND TOGETHER WITH CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA AND GEORGIA, REPRESENTS 65 PERCENT OF TOTAL U.S. PRODUCTION.
No. 4
The first citrus orchards were established along the Texas Gulf Coast in the 1880s.
Texas produced 16 percent of the U.S. pecan crop in 2012; only Georgia and New Mexico harvested more. Pecans are one of the states highestvalue crops per acre of production. Depending on nut prices, the value of Texas pecan production ranged between $75 and $160 million from 2010 to 2012, according to the USDA. High-yield pecan orchards account for the bulk of the Texas pecan crop, but about one-fourth of the states production comes from native pecan trees along rivers, often cultivated alongside other crops. Wise says U.S. consumers continue
to choose nuts as a healthy snack and food ingredient. Theres a huge consumer focus on health, she says, and pecans are high in healthy fats and very high in antioxidants. That interest in eating healthier is one thing that ties Texas fruit, vegetable and tree nut producers together as they improve specialty crop production. Growing these crops is costly. It takes a lot to produce them, says Carnes. But we are making it easier and easier for people to buy fresh, healthy food. Matthew Ernst
Top Left: Watermelons are grown on nearly 29,000 acres in Texas. Bottom Left: The state is well known for growing red grapefruits. The red color comes from the lycopene in the fruit, which is also an antioxidant.
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Blooming
Texas horticulture industry generates $18 billion
FROM M ARCH TO M AY, ONE OF THE PRETTIEST
flowers in Texas a state rich with plants, flowers and trees is the Lady Bird Johnson Royal Bluebonnet. The robust plant with cobalt blue flowers is one of the Texas Superstars, a designation given to plants that do well in Texas weather and soil with minimal work. Strong, healthy plants contribute to Texas economy. In 2011, total horticulture and green industry sales, which includes growing, landscaping and retailing, exceeded $15.6 billion, up 8.7 percent from the prior year, according to a report by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Factor in all aspects of the green industry, including manufacturing and equipment sales, and the economic impact increases to nearly $18 billion. The sales figures are strong, but the overall economic impact of the industry is even more impressive, says Amy Graham, president of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. You cant buy sod or turf without also buying fertilizer and mowers. Two key segments of Texas green industry are landscaping and floral. Production has increased over the last few years, Graham says. We represent more than 200,000 jobs in the state of Texas, and thats a pretty exciting number. Graham expects retail sales to continue to rise as city residents become more interested in growing plants. Our industry has a cooling effect on urban heat centers, she says. Just as people are migrating to urban centers, so is horticulture. Were seeing increases in rooftop gardens, container gardens and urban community gardens. In addition, interest in edible plants is
Business Is
LANDSCAPE AND FLORAL
Indigenous to Texas, bluebonnets are the states ofcial ower. The distinctive owers have a short, but lush blooming season each spring.
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expanding as more people are trying to grow their own food, and thats great for our industry, peoples health and the environment. Even so, Graham says labor remains a challenge for the industry. Its not just the immigration issue, its also the need to encourage young people to pursue higher education in the industry. We want people to understand that they can make a good living in the green industry, she says. Dianna Nordman, executive director of the Texas State Florists Association (TSFA), notes the concerns surrounding available workers for the industry. The industry as a whole is very healthy, Nordman says. What we lack are qualified employees and future owners. Our association is working to educate teachers and students about opportunities in the floral industry. TSFA has taken an important step to address the lack of workers by partnering with the state to develop the Texas High School Floral Certification program. More than 800 high school students across the state have achieved level one design certification, which qualifies
INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
them to create the basic designs used in a florist shop on a daily basis. The organization also is working to protect and strengthen sales for local florists all across the state, including addressing a relatively recent trend. Obituaries are including the phrase in lieu of flowers along with encouragement to make a donation to honor the loved one, she says. Our association is very supportive of people making donations, but whats happening is that people are going to funerals and memorial services and not seeing the display of flowers that represent thoughtfulness and love. Were working with funeral directors on that message. Graham believes plants and flowers should be part of every environment and occasion. We dont consider plants a luxury purchase, she says. Studies have shown that plants increase the quality of peoples lives. People who garden are happier. They have scabby knees, but happy hearts. One of Texas most renowned citizens and flower gardeners would agree. Lady Bird Johnson herself once said, Where flowers bloom, there is hope. Kim Madlom
A worker moves bedding plants at a Texas nursery. The states green industry represents about 200,000 jobs in Texas.
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THE TEXAS GREEN INDUSTRY INCLUDES SOD, ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, SHRUBS, ORNAMENTAL TREES, GRASSES, LANDSCAPING SERVICES AND MORE.
The green industrys total economic impact is nearly $18 billion.
In 2011, total horticulture and green industry sales, including growing, landscaping and retailing, increased by 8.7 percent to a total of
$15.6B
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Best management practices improve forestry sustainability, economic impact

John Warner, an urban district forester with the Texas A&M Forest Service, manages the forests at the W. Goodrich Jones State Forest in Conroe, Texas.
Standing SOLID
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WHEN IT COMES TO THE
forestry industry in Texas, there are two types of impacts that draw the attention of officials and observers. First, theres the impact on the economy, which includes large, impressive numbers like $23.7 billion in economic impact and 117,000 forestry jobs throughout the state. Then theres the impact where less is considered more. Thats the goal of those in the industry concerned about the environment where the lesser effect on water, soil and other elements of the ecosystem, the better. Through the use of forestry best management practices (BMPs), the states timber industry is able to demonstrate high productivity at a low cost to natural resources. BMPs are methods such as leaving a buffer zone of trees next to a stream, installing a culvert to cross a waterway or establishing grass on forest roads to prevent erosion. Best management practices are scientific principles that have been validated through research to be proven effective for protecting soil and water resources when applied correctly, says Hughes Simpson, program coordinator for the Texas A&M Forest Services Water Resources and Ecosystem Services division. We can continue to manage our forest resources sustainably when we use these practices. The Texas A&M Forest Service, which is part of the Texas A&M University System, has been managing all aspects of the states forestry industry since 1915. The forest service owns five relatively small forests for research and demonstrations, and its employees work closely with the Texas Forestry Association, a nonprofit trade association with more than 3,000 members. The two organizations work together to ensure the sustainability of Texas commercial forests, most of which are located in the eastern part of the state. If you look at East Texas from a perspective of how much wood or fiber we are growing versus how much we are harvesting, we are growing more than we harvest, says Burl Carraway, department head of Texas

CRITICAL TRAINING
Trees are one of Texas top renewable resources, and the states foresters utilize best management practices to determine when trees are ready for harvest.
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STAFF PHOTO
Freshly cut pine trees are hauled to a storage facility in Diboll, Texas, where they will be be kept until being processed into building products.
A&M Forest Services Sustainable Forestry. The ratio is now about 1.1-1.2 to 1. The states forestry industry has been using BMPs for more than two decades. The practices are nonregulatory in Texas, but are strongly encouraged. A large portion of the mills do require their contractors or suppliers to be trained in these practices, Simpson says. Basically it has kind of evolved into a marketing mechanism to where if youre not trained or certified through this program, then you have limited markets for your products. Working with the Texas Forestry Association, Simpson and his staff train loggers and others in the industry through four main courses: maintaining safe operations; wildlife and endangered species; wetlands, natural forest ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabit them; and business management and communications. Once certified, participants must complete an additional six hours of training each year.

Despite suffering a considerable setback from the 2011 summer drought, extremely high temperatures and the states worst wildfire season, the forestry industry remains an integral part of Texas agriculture. Timber is seventh among all agriculture commodities in the state. Texas forests produce lumber, structural panels, paper and treatedwood products, and primary mill and logging residue. Thats fairly significant considering almost all timber activity is in East Texas, Carraway says. In 25 of the 43 East Texas counties, the forest sector is either the No. 1 or No. 2 top manufacturing employer. Its a big contributor to East Texas certainly, but also statewide. Of the 12 million acres of forestland in East Texas, about two-thirds are owned by individuals or families, and another 25 percent by private investors. Eight percent is publicly-owned, with most being national forests. John McBryde
The N UM B E R S:
The Texas forestry industry represents
MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVER
$23.7B
in economic impact. Forestry provides direct jobs throughout Texas.
117,000
The Texas A&M Forest Service owns relatively small forests for research and demonstrations.
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Cattle Drive
Beef industry dominates agricultural economy
program coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Cow-calf producers raise the calf from birth to weaning age, which is when the calf no longer nurses from the cow. Stockers and cow-calf producers grow the weaned calf on pastures to a heavier weight. Cattle feeders, or feedlots, raise cattle from stocker weights to harvest.
TEXAS CATTLE RANCHERS
continue to feel the heat as drought dried up most of the states pastures through early 2013. But Texas didnt become the countrys leading cattle state without meeting challenges, and each segment of the industry is positioning for recovery. The beef cattle industry in Texas has three main segments, says Tom Hairgrove, a veterinarian and
THREE INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
Producers usually focus on one segment, but even though theyre independent, they rely on each other, Hairgrove says. One quarter of the nations fed cattle are raised here in Texas. Cow-calf and stocker operations are located statewide, with much of the states cow herd concentrated in the eastern part of the state. However, many of the states largest ranches, covering the
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STAFF PHOTO
Once calves are weaned, they are often sold to cattle feeders at auction. The cattle are sorted into groups, based on size and other characteristics.
most area, can be found in West and South Texas. In a display of cooperation between Texas farmers and ranchers, more than 1 million cattle annually graze wheat pastures in North and West Texas. Feedlots also can be found across the state, with most located near abundant feed supplies in the Panhandle and South Texas. In South Texas, were utilizing our locally-grown products to feed cattle a balanced, healthy feed, says Jay Gray, general manager at Graham Cattle & Land in Gonzales. We use products from cotton, peanuts, corn and soybeans for protein and roughage. Texas hay, corn and grain sorghum are widely used by the industrys three segments. Cattle feed requires rain, and the recent drought drove home the industrys interdependence between sectors. Without grass in the pastures, it is very difficult to raise cattle numbers, says Gray. In 2013, there were more than 4 million beef cows kept by Texas cow-calf producers, down 24 percent since 2007. However, there are modest signs of expansion in the states beef cow herd, with 50,000 more beef

FEED CHALLENGES
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PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS
A cow and her calf graze a pasture in Winona, Texas. Cow-calf operations raise calves from birth to weaning age.
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TEXAS RANKS NO. 1 IN THE NATION IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CATTLE AND CALVES.
13 percent of the total U.S. cattle inventory is in Texas.
replacement heifers reported in 2013 than 2012. Theres this mystique to ranching in Texas, but the reality is were still a pretty rural state that can accommodate a lot of cattle, says Jason Cleere, beef specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Dealing with extended drought has forced Texas ranchers to become even better producers. Weve been talking about precision farming for a long time; now we need to have precision ranching, says Cleere. That means precisely measuring nutrient content in soils and forages, and evaluating the genetics that help make Texas beef world-famous. Improving beef production profits is always a concern, and Texans have found ways to add more value to their beef. Nolan Ryans Beef is speciallyfed and aged to increase tenderness, palatability and vitamin E content. A lot of the Nolan Ryans Beef product stays in Texas at restaurants and food service, says Jay Gray, whose company has finished cattle according to Nolan Ryans Beef guidelines.

Other Texans have focused on intensive grazing to produce an entirely grass-fed beef. Texas cattle hides are used by Toyota and other automakers for seat leather. Even that use depends on cooperation between cattle industry segments. We require animals coming into our feedlots to be identified with brands in locations that will not affect the hides, says Gray. In 2013, Texas A&M hosted a major cattle industry event themed Rebuilding the Cow Herd. Tom Hairgrove and Jason Cleere say topics addressed included herd health, pasture and forage management, and genetics all issues concerning to every type of Texas beef producer, whether cow-calf, stocker or feeder. Matthew Ernst
MORE THAN JUICY STEAKS
PRECISION RANCHING
Whats Online
Learn more facts about the Texas cattle industry at TX-agriculture.com.
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The Legendary Longhorn

paniards first brought cattle to Texas in the 1500s. Some of those cattle escaped or were released into the range. They are the first ancestors of the legendary Texas Longhorn. Feral herds of Texas Longhorns underwent several centuries of natural selection in Texas, says David Hillis, professor of integrative biology at The University of Texas at Austin. Early Texas cattle developed disease resistance, including immunity to the tick-borne Texas fever. Feral longhorns also developed longevity, ease in calving and thrived on native vegetation, all while surviving droughts. And those horns long, even spiraling racks that can span up to six feet. Long horns were important for defense against predators, so cows with long horns left more offspring than did cows with short horns, Hillis says. Wild longhorns began to mix with English cattle breeds in the early 1800s. By the 1850s, Texas cattle were following trails to markets in New Orleans and California. Cattle were first shipped by rail to Chicago from Abilene, Kan., in 1867. Longhorns gained weight on the trail north from Texas. Before the widespread availability of supplemental feed or water from windmills, the only cattle that could thrive in Texas were longhorns, says Hillis, who keeps a longhorn herd at Double Helix Ranch.
Texas cattle breed fueled ranching industry
According to the Texas Historical Association, 5 to 10 million longhorns were trailed out of Texas for about 20 years after the Civil War, which provided a huge boost for Texas economy. However, the longhorns natural advantages became less of a necessity as Texas ranchers established artesian wells and managed grazing with barbed wire. Average horn spans on longhorns even declined in the late 1800s, likely from fewer older animals in the population, says Hillis.
Longhorns had nearly disappeared in the 1920s, when Congress established a national longhorn herd in Oklahoma, helping save the breed from extinction and preserving the breed that was vital in launching the Texas beef industry. Today, some Texas ranches maintain longhorn herds to provide stock for rodeos and meat that satisfies a new type of consumer who craves ultralean, heritage beef. Matthew Ernst
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Our tradition. Your opportunity.
TO LEARN MORE: (936) 261-2540 www.pvamu.edu/cahs
Sold on Seafood
exas wild-caught shrimp are so prized that, for about 60 days from May 15 to mid-July, the shrimp boats along Texas Gulf Coast stay docked. Its a unique state program that allows the small migrating shrimp population time to grow and repopulate the local supply. This program fundamentally supports our goals of protecting this important resource, says Carol Huntsberger, owner of the 75-year-old Quality Seafood Market in Austin. The program demonstrates the value Texas places on its seafood industry, which generates nearly $850 million in sales and provides more than 14,000 jobs in the state. Year after year, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico have provided a distinctive lifestyle for Texas fishermen, says Bobby Champion Jr., state coordinator for shrimp marketing at the Texas Department of Agriculture. This industry feeds a nation hungry for premium wildcaught seafood. Its a unique part of Lone Star history. The Texas seafood industry is a continuing story of innovation and preservation. Texas shrimpers are responsible for approximately one-third of all shrimp harvested from the Gulf of Mexico each year. Brown, white and pink shrimp are the most common species in Texas waters. Premium brown shrimp offer the boldest flavor, while white and pink shrimp varieties have a sweeter, lighter taste. People in Texas are proud of our state and like to use products that are local, domestic and sustainable, Huntsberger says. The bonus is that Texas wild-caught shrimp are some
Get on board with Texas wild-caught shrimp and fish
PHOTO BY BRIAN MCCORD
of the best in the world. Texas also produces oysters, snapper, tuna, mahi mahi, flounder and other seafood for retailers and consumers around the nation. Quality Seafood also sells thousands and thousands of pounds of black drum, which is akin to redfish. Black drum is one of the best fish on the market, Huntsberger says. It is so versatile because its easy to blacken, fry and grill,
and it holds up in a soup. Its a mild white fish and very clean. Its a great fish for people who are looking to add fish to their diets. Huntsberger advises consumers new to eating fish to experiment. Be bold, she says. Find a fishmonger who knows about cutting fish and talk with them about likes and dislikes. There really is a fish for every taste. Kim Madlom
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Opportunity to research.
Opportunity to learn.
Opportunity to achieve.
Prairie View A&M University is designated by the Texas Constitution as one of the three institutions of the rst class. Prairie View A&M University will be breaking ground on a state-of-the-art building in the fall of 2014, housing the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences along with the College of Business.
{WEB SITE}
GF3A
Our tradition.
Prairie View A&M University is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and service. It is one of three universities written into the Texas Constitution.
Your opportunity.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
&
LIVESTOCK SHOwS AND RODEOS
are a long-standing Texas tradition, and theres a lot more to them than glitz, glamour and cowboy boots. Texas livestock shows and rodeos have a huge impact on the states economy, as well as consumers views and knowledge of agriculture. They also play an important role in helping young Texans gain life skills through livestock and equine projects, raise money for college and develop a lifelong love for agriculture.
Boots, Spurs Cowboy Hats

Rodeos and livestock shows make a positive impact on Texas youth
Brother and sister duo Ben and Railey Mikeska of Dripping Springs have both been showing beef cattle since the age of 9 through 4-H, an educational hobby passed along to them by their father Roger and mother DAna who both enjoyed it in their youth. It taught us responsibility, the value of hard work and to have compassion for animals, and it helped provide money for us to go to college,
SHOWING LIVESTOCK
Roger says. He and DAna both grew up on cattle ranches and met at Texas A&M University. Showing livestock is truly a family sport, Roger says. The kids are leading steers around at shows when theyre age 9 or 10, and mom and dad are there to drive them and support them. The Mikeskas travel to the big livestock shows in Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, but they also compete locally.
Siblings Ben and Railey Mikeska of Dripping Springs show livestock throughout Texas. Both believe that their livestock projects have positively impacted their futures.
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Showing animals has taught me responsibility since the animals feed, water, health and safety are in my hands, both at home and on the road.
BEN MIKESKA
Sixteen-year-old Ben had the grand champion steer two years in a row at the Hays County Livestock Expo and the champion Hereford steer at the 2012 San Antonio Stock Show. He received a $10,000 college scholarship. Showing animals has taught me responsibility since the animals feed, water, health and safety are in my hands, both at home and on the road, Ben says. It also has allowed me to make lifelong friends from across the state, and it has made my family very close because we all work together toward a common goal. Working with livestock also has taught Ben that food doesnt come from a grocery store. Theres a lot that goes into it before it hits the shelves. I think the 4-H and FFA youth of Texas and the rest of the country will lead the way in
Top: Ben Mikeska washes one of his show steers. Ben works with his show animals every day to prepare them for competition, and he says the hard work pays off when his animals are named champions.
LEARNING BY DOING
feeding the world in the future, he says. In addition to showing animals, I play football and lacrosse, which I love, but there is no better competition than in a show ring, and no better feeling than seeing your hard work pay off there. Thirteen-year-old Railey shows steers and rabbits. I only have the rabbits for a month or two, but the steers are a year-round project, and they both require a lot of work every day, she says. Showing animals has taught me to work hard and to keep a positive attitude, even when I dont come out on top. I love the competition and the friendships that come with showing, and I really love the animals. I think this experience will lead me into veterinary medicine or another animal-related field.
RODEO IMPACTS
Rodeos have an equally important

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK MATSON
Miss Rodeo Austin Princess, McKenna Greene, and Miss Rodeo Austin, Alex Ingram, wave to the crowd during the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.
impact on young people, far beyond the bronco riding, calf roping and steer wrestling. Twenty-year-old Alex Ingram from New Braunfels won a $16,000 college scholarship in January 2013 after being crowned Miss Rodeo Austin. I grew up on a ranch, and my dad was a team roper, so I took an interest in rodeo queen contests, Ingram says. Ive gained so much from competing in the pageants. Ive learned how to interview, and increased my public speaking and horsemanship skills. I think rodeo is the best sport there is because its so family-oriented, patriotic and faith-oriented. Its also helped me make connections by traveling to rodeos across Texas.
Student successes of all types, including artistic talents, are recognized at Texas fairs and events.
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Roger Mikeska, at right, hopes he has instilled a love of agriculture in his children, Railey and Ben.
Rodeo Austin awarded $484,000 in college scholarships to 45 students in 2013. Rodeo Austin is so generous, and Im proud to be a representative of it, Ingram says. Im entering my junior year at Texas A&M, and Im majoring in agriculture communications. Its my goal to work in the rodeo world. Jessica Mozo
Whats Online
Share your own Texas fair and rodeo experiences at TX-agriculture.com.
Major Texas livestock shows hold auctions for the top animals exhibited at the show, generating millions of dollars for scholarship funds that help send Texas students to college each year.
IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE TOP FIVE TEXAS LIVESTOCK SHOWS HAVE RAISED MORE THAN
$110M
FOR EDUCATION.
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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Leaders
Texas students get schooled in agriculture while preparing for future careers
TEXAS HAS MORE FARMS
than any other state in the U.S., and it leads the nation in cattle and cotton production. Helping young people recognize future careers in agriculture is especially important in the Lone Star State. Students across the state learn about agriculture and prepare for careers in the industry through programs such as 4-H and FFA, as well as agricultural education courses both in high school and at Texas colleges and universities. The Texas Department of Agriculture recognizes middle and high school student leaders who demonstrate excellence in their pursuits in and out of the classroom with the GROW Award, which Gives Recognition for Outstanding Work. Seventeen-year-old Adam Morton of Louise, Texas, is one of the eight GROW Award recipients for 2012-13. A senior at Louise High School, Morton lives on a cattle farm and shows steers at the Wharton County Youth Fair. He is active in 4-H, FFA, student council and athletics, including powerlifting. He competes in state, national and international powerlifting competitions and holds a state, national and world record in
GROWING
WELL-ROUNDED TEENS
Adam Morton of Louise, Texas, works on his familys ranch. He also helps his neighbors harvest corn, rice and soybeans each summer.
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his weight class for dead lift and bench press. I like staying busy. I help people who live around us harvest corn, rice and soybeans every summer, Morton says. I was hauling hay at 8 years old. Morton serves as a junior deacon at his church and volunteers at community events and beautification days. He loves the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing with his family. He plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in wildlife biology. I grew up hunting and learning
about wildlife, and I would like to become a game warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Morton says. I want to help protect animals for future generations, so when my future kids have kids they can enjoy hunting like I do. Sixteen-year-old Angie Pascarella of Harper, Texas, was another GROW Award recipient for the 2012-13 school year. A junior at Harper High School, Pascarella is a National Honor Society member, participates in FFA
LEARNING TO BE A LEADER
and student council, and manages the volleyball and track teams. Its rare today to see kids step up and be leaders who take charge and know what to do, Pascarella says. I want to be looked at differently by adults, not looked at as the stereotypical teenager. Pascarella lives on a ranch where she grew up around ostriches, quail, goats, chicken and sheep, so her involvement in FFA came naturally. I joined FFA for the speaking events because Ive always loved public speaking. I did agriculture
In addition to his agricultural interests, Adam Morton of Louise, Texas, holds a world record in his weight class for dead lift and bench press.
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advocacy my sophomore year, and I was secretary of our chapter, Pascarella says. After attending a leadership camp in seventh grade, Pascarella was challenged to create a service project in her community. She started a Junior Librarians Club, recruiting middle schoolers to volunteer their time at the Harper Library, where they hosted a summer reading club for children. She also hosted a reception to honor library donors
FOCUS ON SERVICE
and volunteers at fundraisers held by the Harper Volunteer Fire Department. Pascarella plans to attend college after high school and major in business. I will definitely continue supporting agriculture in my lifestyle by doing things like buying local, she says. I love living in Texas because you always see farms, wineries and produce stands right around the corner. Its refreshing to be surrounded by agriculture. Jessica Mozo
Adam Morton xes an electric fence on his familys ranch in Louise, Texas.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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A Changing Landscape
Agriculture looks to strength of local communities for success
THERE wAS A TIME wHEN MANY RURAL communities in Texas may not have existed if it werent for agriculture. The very notion of rural often meant that a small town was made up of farmers, ranchers or others in agriculture, and it was these producers that primarily provided for a towns economic livelihood. How times have changed. The rural communities at one time were dependent on agriculture, says Becky Dempsey, state director of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs for the Texas Department of Agricultures (TDA) Office of Rural Affairs. Communities were formed as a result of a group of agricultural producers, and the town provided the resources needed by the producer. Dempsey continues, New technologies and mechanization, along with government programs to maximize production, have resulted in fewer farmers

producing the majority of food and fiber in the U.S. As a result, the tables have turned somewhat in that the producers are dependent on rural communities to provide another source of income. Innovative rural communities have begun to think strategically about how they will keep their community vibrant. Attracting new companies to rural areas has resulted in a great deal of success, as well as innovative new programs such as agritourism and historical trails.
TDAs Office of Rural Affairs works with rural communities to ensure that the economy and quality of life in rural Texas remains vital. The office uses available federal funds and a statewide outreach network to help rural communities with matters such as attracting and retaining businesses, maintaining public infrastructure
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IN TEXAS, AGRICULTURE ACCOUNTS FOR NEARLY
OF THE JOBS IN RURAL COUNTIES, COMPARED TO LESS THAN
13% 1%
and providing quality health care. The office also provides financial assistance to agricultural producers, which is particularly beneficial to young farmers and ranchers. It takes many resources to fund economic or community development programs, and TDA has a few of the tools necessary to assist with projects, Dempsey says. Were all passionate about rural Texas, and everyone on the team is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve. Another means of helping rural communities is through the CDBG program, which uses funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While HUD funds go directly to larger cities, smaller towns and counties must apply for the money through the Texas CDBG program. The grants are based on competitive, objective scoring, Dempsey says. We try to structure our programs not only to provide some benefit to the communities where the money will ultimately end up, but also to meet the national objectives as determined by HUD. The Texas Electric Cooperative (TEC) also is instrumental in the development and sustainability of the states rural communities, going beyond providing power. Established in 1941 as a coalition of electric cooperatives to improve leverage with power suppliers, the Austin-based TEC includes 64 distribution, and 11 generation and transmission cooperatives. We were created to improve the quality of life of people in rural communities in Texas, says Mike Williams, CEO and president of TEC. Providing reliable, safe and affordable electricity is the most visible demonstration of that. Thats our core business, but we do so much more for the communities. The real key is that were part of the community. Among several services, cooperatives assist rural communities with economic development; provide infrastructure that can improve quality of life; support various organizations such as volunteer fire departments, schools and local governments; and fund scholarships and sponsor youth leadership programs. John McBryde
POWER TO THE COMMUNITIES
OF THE JOBS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS.

Agricultural cooperatives, which provide everything from livestock feed to apparel, are vital to rural economies in Texas, providing 20,000 jobs and $1.7 billion in sales.
Source: Texas AgriLife Extension Service
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STAFF PHOTO
Rural communities across the state, like Ferris, Texas, rely on agriculture for much of its economic livelihood.
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LOCAL FOOD
The
SECRET
Texas chefs look to local foods
Ingredient
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Left: Searsucker in Austin is one of many Texas restaurants that sources local products for its dishes, including this Redsh Black and Blue entree. Above: Serafn Campos, a server at Chisos Grill in Bee Cave, Texas, displays two of the restaurants specialty entrees that feature locally grown ingredients.
THE LOCAL FOOD MOVEMENT HAS TAKEN HOLD
in Texas, especially in Austin, and its expanding rapidly to Houston, Dallas and even into the more rural areas of the state. We used to think of sourcing food locally as a trend, but now it has become the norm, says Wendy Womack, coordinator for marketing for the Texas Department of Agriculture, which promotes Texas food and beverage products through its GO TEXAN program. Good chefs have always focused on cooking whats in season, but now they are focusing on sourcing food from their farming neighbors. GO TEXAN member Chad Jones is chef and co-owner of Chisos Grill in Bee Cave, just outside of Austin. Jones is one chef who has made locally-sourced food the centerpiece of his menu. We make a conscious effort to source our menu ingredients locally, Jones says. That philosophy stems from our belief that locally-farmed products will lead to fresher, higher quality food served to our customers. A lifelong resident of Texas, Jones has been in the restaurant business for almost 20 years. He says sourcing

food locally, with the help of the GO TEXAN program, is the right choice for his customers, his community and Texas businesses. At the end of the day, outsourcing products based on cost means you lose quality and freshness, and those things are priceless, he says. Its a noticeable difference. When we use fresh, properly raised produce and meat, it makes a real difference in whats on the plate. Sourcing locally also allows us to focus on natural products. We dont use any processed foods in our restaurant, and we make everything from scratch. Jones first looks for food products ranched or farmed within a 20-mile radius of his restaurant. We get our quail from Lockhart, our tomatoes from Marfa and our beef from Rockdale, he says. With a menu of about 85 items, unfortunately, we cant get everything right here; but for me, local means as close as I can get it. The Gulf Coast of Texas is as close as I can get seafood, with 80 percent of what we serve coming from that region, including wild-caught Gulf shrimp, redfish and oysters. For those foods Texas doesnt produce, Jones uses
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local food distribution companies as providers. We are committed to supporting local businesses, he says. At Chisos Grill, more than the food has a Texas address. Texas is a very large producer of wine, beer and spirits, Jones says. Ninety percent of our bar items are sourced from inside the state. Chisos Ghost Bar offers 30 beers, 25 spirits and 20 wines produced in-state. In fact, Womack just partnered with Jones to organize wine, beer and spirits tastings at Chisos Grill to celebrate the 2013 GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up week. Together, they contacted and scheduled a different GO TEXAN wine, beer and spirit member to visit the restaurant each day for that week. Womack says locally-produced craft beers and wines continue to be a growth market. Meats, including cured products and specialty items, also are gaining in popularity. Chefs are showing interest in sourcing whole animals, Womack says. Weve also seen an increase in demand for local lamb and goat. For example, GO TEXAN recently helped a rancher who wanted help sourcing up to 10 lambs to local restaurants each month. We were able to help link that producer to chefs looking for his product.
LOCAL BEVERAGES, TOO
Chad Jones, co-owner and executive chef of Chisos Grill in Bee Cave, Texas, checks the quality of the locally-grown tomatoes and other ingredients he uses in the days menus.
Locally-sourced food is moving beyond restaurant kitchens and into the marketplace. Weve noticed the focus on local food is trending in retail as well, Womack says. Even stores are interested in having local products on their shelves. Texas retailers are making an effort to offer Texas products, and thats good news for our producers. The demand for local food fits into a global world, according to Womack. As the world becomes more global, people are looking to reconnect to their local communities in a hyperlocal way. The fact that were so globally connected makes us want stronger local connections, and food meets that need. Kim Madlom
A GROWING TREND
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Server Kyle Nathan prepares for a busy dinner service at Searsucker in Austin, one of the many restaurants that focuses on serving Texas-grown ingredients.
GO TEXAN
There is no pride ercer than that of a Texan. Just seeing the outline of this great state is enough to swell emotion in the heart of any Texas native. The GO TEXAN program, with its signature mark in the shape of Texas, celebrates, promotes and supports the business savvy and plainspoken grit Texas agriculture is known for throughout the world. The Texas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to cultivating local entrepreneurs, farmers and restaurants in the Lone Star State through the initiative, meaning that Texans can trust labels, signs and brochures emblazoned with the GO TEXAN certication mark. Texas business owners, farmers and restaurateurs are encouraged to enroll in the GO TEXAN program. With customizable membership levels, GO TEXAN offers a wide range of benets for participants. Businesses are connected with their consumers, and can also network and promote themselves amongst other colleagues. For more information about the program, visit gotexan.org. The GO TEXAN mobile app allows users to easily identify participating wineries, farmers markets, restaurants, retailers, other local businesses and products. You can locate, map and share any GO TEXAN product or location on the app. Recipes, events and coupons also are available in the palm of your hand. This app can be useful for everyone, including Texas natives, transplants and visitors. The app is available for free in the App Store on iTunes and on Google Play for Android devices. Eating fresh, local and being Texas-proud is just a click away with the GO TEXAN app. Hannah Patterson
TX-AGRICULTURE.COM
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LOCAL FOOD
Cafeteria Connections
Texas students dine on state-produced foods
tudents in Texas 1,200 school districts are learning more about the farms behind the food they eat thanks to the Texas Department of Agricultures (TDA) Farm to School initiative. The statewide effort helps school nutrition professionals and educators incorporate Texas agriculture products into school meals, increase agricultural education and teach students more about the importance of the states agriculture industry. TDAs Farm to School coordinator, Alyssa Herold, says she uses several models to help schools and agricultural producers show children the connection between farms and forks. Sometimes Im contacted by a producer who wants to sell products to schools in their county or city, Herold says. Other times, Im contacted by a schools nutrition administrator looking to incorporate local products into their school meals. I connect them with local farmers and encourage them to teach students in the process, through a field trip to the farm or a Meet the Farmer day. The educational component of Farm to School is just as important as helping schools and agricultural producers establish purchasing relationships. Thats why TDA supports schools in any way they want to participate. Along with using fresh foods from local farmers in lunches, some schools also have started growing their own produce in educational gardens. Susan LeBlanc, child nutrition director at Barbers Hill Independent School District in Mont Belvieu, Texas, started an educational
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTGOMERY ELEMENTARY
Students at the Montgomery Elementary School learn about food by helping with a school garden.
gardening program at each of the districts three campuses. The kids have been so excited about this project, she says. I knew students would enjoy the hands-on experience, but it has been amazing. Students in second, fifth and seventh grades can help plant, tend to and harvest crops in the schools garden with LeBlanc. Texas students clearly benefit from the program, but Herold says its ideal for producers as well. Selling products to schools gives producers an opportunity to diversify. Schools can act as a
consistent buyer. Most schools look for fresh produce from farmers, though there are still some that use protein and eggs as well. Herold hopes that as the initiative continues to grow, students will be able to enjoy as many local Texas products as possible, while also learning the importance of agriculture and its potential for a future career. For more information on Texas Farm to School initiative, visit www. squaremeals.org/FarmtoSchool. Rachel Bertone
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Go Texan
www.pvamu.edu/cahs
Exploring Prairie View A&M Universitys College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
Our tradition.
Your opportunity.
| Sponsored by PVAMU |
Students in the Goat Research program (L-R): Cameron Gordon, Jared Bolton, Helenia Hogan and Sr. Research Associate Dwight Rhodes lead goats to their pasture on the campus of Prairie View A&M University.
Real-World Experience
STuDeNTs BeNeFIT FrOm aGrIcuLTuraL INTerNshIps
tudents at Prairie View A&M University learn plenty of lessons in the classroom. But many students also receive on-the-job education through agricultural internships. Internships provide them the platform to apply what they learn in class to real-life situations, says Horace Hodge, who serves as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Liaison Officer for the university. Through internships, Hodge says, students are able to better understand what field theyre in and see what they really want to do. We recruit students from high school into the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, and then try to get them into the employment ranks of USDA or a private agribusiness company, he says. As many as 60 students per year take part in the ag internship program, for which students receive up to six hours of college credit. They also document what theyve learned and write about their internship experience. Keith Lewis, who majored in agriculture with an animal science focus, interned with the Soysambu Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya through ELI Abroad. I was exposed to new ways of thinking and living,
which encouraged growth and independence, Lewis says. I was able to immerse myself in a new culture, mastering the challenges of learning in a different academic environment. Joshua Allen, who studies agronomy, secured a research internship with Monsanto in Iowa. Ive learned not only what Monsanto does to decrease world hunger on a global level, but also how theyre impacting local communities, Allen says. I actually hope to continue my research with this company in the future. Two students per year take part in the USDA/1890 National Scholars program. This 1890 land grant university scholarship not only covers the full tuition, books, fees and laptop for the student, but it also provides an internship with the USDA during the summer. From USDA to Monsanto to Kenya, internships also help students when they return after a summer of work. Professors can tell, Hodge says. The application of what they learn in the field is apparent with their interaction in the class. And employers can tell, too a better prepared agricultural workforce helps enhance the overall agricultural economy.
Have a Field Day
GOaT Research CeNTer eveNT eXpaNDs TO eDucaTe ON urBaN aGrIcuLTure

bout 200 Alpine dairy goats and another 200 meat goats (predominantly Spanish and Boer breeds) reside at PVAMUs International Goat Research Center, which was founded in 1983. The following year, the IGRC hosted its first Goat Field Day. In 2008, it combined with a College of Agriculture Field Day to focus not only on goats but also other types of farming. In 2013, the IGRC launched the Urban Agriculture Summit in conjunction with the field day and the city of Prairie Views birthday celebration. PVAMU is located at the edge of a rapidly expanding urban area where agriculture is still a major economic force, says Dr. Gary Newton, IGRC research leader. Our goal was to bring together organizations that are interested in promoting locally grown foods and good nutrition. The program included talks on marketing, nutrition and legislative issues that may affect small farmers. Dr. Alton Johnson, dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, also discussed plans for the fall 2014 ground breaking on the colleges new academic building. The 2014 Agricultural Field Day, Community Celebration and Goat Festival are slated for the last weekend in April. Throughout the year, the IGRC offers workshops relating to goat production and management, and conducts research on breeding, grazing strategies and profitable dairy production. They work with other departments, universities and 4-H clubs throughout Texas, as well as the Waller County Farmers Market. They also market goat dairy products from soap and lotion to milk and cheese made by student-led organizations on the university farm. Goat milk is easy to digest, doesnt cause lactose intolerance and is often a healthy substitute for children allergic to cows milk.
Bottom L-R: Prairie View A&M International Goat Research Director and Research Leader Gary Newton, Senior Research Scientist Lou Nuti and Research Scientist Bill Foxworth.
A LeGacY LIves ON
Our tradition. Your opportunity.
Thats the Prairie View A&M University slogan, one exemplified by the schools veterinary clinic through the legacy of Dr. Alfred Poindexter. For almost 60 years, Poindexter worked as a renowned veterinarian and beloved professor. He taught a number of animal sciences classes and trained future vets at the university farm. One of those students was Dr. Wendell Baker, who worked on the farm before opening his own practice. Bakers protege, Dr. Kellye Thompson, now serves as the university farm vet, bringing the tradition of caring for animals to the next generation of PVAMU students.
FeeDING The FOOD DeserTs

Thanks to PVAMU, many Texans living in food deserts now have access to healthy foods. The term food desert refers to an area with minimal access to healthy food, according to Dawn Burton, health coordinator. The barriers to access nutritionally dense foods include distance, physical and financial constraints. Burton works with the Last Organic Outpost in Houstons Fifth Ward, an extreme food desert, to increase access to and education of fresh produce, with the goal of changing eating habits. The Last Organic Outpost is 2 acres of opportunity for the community to improve health, individual economics and agricultural knowledge, she says. Researchers have identified those food deserts through GIS mapping. Geographical Information Systems [GIS] is the ability to use compiled data to impose an image onto a map, says Christopher Cotton with the PVAMU Cooperative Extension. To show food deserts, GIS combines food source locations with census data to show low-income areas. The Extension utilizes the information to target places that most need their help. I use GIS quite a bit to validate the areas and the people we serve, Cotton says. Dr. Noel Estwick in the PVAMU College of Agriculture & Human Sciences, notes the importance of collaborative research between university departments. The land management information system and other GIS-related activities will also be used to expose students to technology applications in agriculture, he says.
CuLTIvaTING COLLaBOraTION
When Dr. Alton Johnson went to India in 2010, he brought back more than souvenirs. The dean of PVAMUs College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Johnson returned with a plan to collaborate with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. During his trip, Johnson connected with Dr. Kiran Kokate, who runs ICARs extension program and its 11,000 employees. PVAMU also has an extension service, which delivers practical research-based knowledge to farmers in 34 counties. Johnson invited Kokate to a conference in Texas to discuss Indias successful extension model and to learn how it works in the United States. He was quite interested in our land grant system and how our research and extension worked together to come up with solutions, Johnson says. The CAHS and ICAR are developing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to identify areas of common interest, such as natural products, nutrition and medicine, particularly Indias research of medicinal plants. PVAMUs International Goat Research Center also plays a role. India has a population of 1.24 billion a lot of mouths to feed. Beef is not a source of protein in India, Johnson explains. Texas ranks first nationally for meat goats and second for dairy goats, and PVAMU is renowned for its research in goat genetics and production. The MoU, still in progress, must comply with university and federal guidelines. In the meantime, Johnson is proud to partner with ICAR. They have students who want to come to the United States, he says, and we want them to come to PVAMU to study.
CAHS FacuLTY Front L-R: Dr. Adela Mora, Dr. Milton Daley, Dr. Rahmat Attaie, Dr. Ali Fares, Dr. Eric Risch, Dr. Godson Osuji. Back L-R: Dr. Velva McWhinney, Dr. Ming Gao, Dr. Aruna Weerasooriya, Dr. Yoosung Jung, Dr. Laura Carson, Dr. Shaye Lewis.
A World of Education
t PVAMUs College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS), faculty, students and staff come from all over the world Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Dr. Milton Daley, who hails from Jamaica, completed his bachelors and masters degrees at PVAMU in animal science. He received his doctoral degree at the University of Guelph. PVAMU takes the responsibility of providing competitive, affordable and quality higher education within its industry in order to attract not only nationals but also international students, says Dr. Daley, now an assistant professor and program specialist at the university. Dr. Godson Osuji, a research specialist from Nigeria, says many of his graduate students return to Nigeria with their masters degrees from the college. He also notes that many visitors from his home country come to PVAMU because of his leadership in developing the agricultural global experience. CAHS has a unique opportunity
COLLeGe aTTracTs sTuDeNTs aND FacuLTY FrOm arOuND The GLOBe
to enhance the economic opportunity, foster academic excellence and improve the health and well-being of individuals and families locally, nationally and internationally through the delivery of programs in the agricultural and life sciences, says CAHS Dean, Dr. Alton Johnson, who is from Monrovia, Liberia. No matter their country of origin, many professors find joy in the simple act of teaching. It is a joy to see the happy faces of the students when harvesting the plants that the students help to grow, says Ming Goa, a senior research scientist from northwestern China. The opportunities exist here to contribute to the education of young people and make an impact in their lives, says Dr. Ali Fares, an associate director for research and professor from Tunisia. Dr. Daley agrees. Prairie Views faculty not only teaches, he says, but we consider ourselves facilitators, mentors, advisors and even extended family to our students.
LOCAL FOOD
Valued Vines
exas may be known for its cattle and cotton, but the Lone Star State knows a thing or two about grapes. According to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, as the No. 5 state in the nation for wine production and No. 7 for wine consumption, Texas wine industry contributes $1.8 billion to the states economy, and the state boasts approximately 4,400 acres of vineyard-producing farmland. Texas wineries are getting more recognition because they grow certain varietals very well, says Debbie Reynolds of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. They increase the acreage of crops grown every year. The states industry took off in the early 1970s, when three state educators formed the Texas Grape Growers Association to help farmers learn how to produce a successful crop. At the end of the decade, Texas had approximately eight wineries that were producing wine. In the years since, the industry has steadily grown. Today, there are 273 commercial wineries in Texas, some of which have been recognized internationally. More than delicious wines, Texas wineries and vineyards are incorporating agritourism into their venues as well, offering events such as jazz nights, Sangria Thursdays, festivals and more. Reynolds says when she goes to visit, wineries are usually packed on weekends. The Texas Hill Country is the second most visited wine destination in the United States, Reynolds says. Many go strictly for wine tours and tastings, and wineries are starting to see loyalty from these customers. Theyre starting wine clubs, where visitors
Texas economy benefits from growing wine industry
can subscribe to have a certain number of bottles sent to them every month, and even guests from out of state are having their wines shipped from Texas. To further agritourism efforts, Reynolds says that the Association is planning to launch a mobile marketing app, where visitors can virtually check-in at wineries across the state and earn points for free merchandise such as t-shirts, wine glasses and more. Some of Texas most popular varietals that keep visitors coming back to the wineries include Tempranillo and Sangiovese for reds, and Blanc du Bois, Moscato
and Viognier for whites. Reynolds says that Texas grape growers are getting better every year, learning how to deal with environmental elements such as an early freeze. Theyre very prosperous and learn what works best because theyve had to deal with these fights each year, she says. She adds that the states industry will continue to grow and provide economically for Texas. Every day someone calls us saying they have some extra land and want to get into the commercial winery business. Rachel Bertone
TX-AGRICULTURE.COM
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INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE
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Go Texan
Green by DESIGN
Red Caboose Winery combines protability, sustainability and innovation
R ED CABOOSE WINErY HAS TwO GOALS:
make great wine and do it using green principles. Located just 90 miles southwest of Dallas, the Meridian, Texas, winery is achieving both. Wines produced by Red Caboose have been earning awards in competitions around the country, including recent selection by Wine Business Monthly for its prestigious list of The Top Ten Hottest Brands in 2012. We feel good about what were doing with the wines, says owner Gary McKibben, who is in business with his son Evan, the winemaker. Together, they produce 5,000 cases of wine each year, and that number is expected to double next year. The pair, who had no prior experiences in winemaking, are pleased with the success of their business, but they feel even better about their efforts to be environmentally-friendly. McKibben, a commercial architect who has always focused on sustainability, says it was
Gary McKibben, owner of Red Caboose Winery, stands on the solar-top roof that provides electricity for the 16-acre winery in Meridian, Texas.
TX-AGRICULTURE.COM
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Go Texan
a top priority for him from the very beginning. Our winery design philosophy is green, he says. In practice, that philosophy is an interesting combination of simplicity and advanced technology. Red Caboose uses geothermal cooling and heating, solar energy, rainwater harvesting, composting and recycling. We designed the winery to be energy efficient and sustainable, McKibben says. The Red Caboose is the only winery in Texas, and perhaps the country, to cool, refrigerate and chill with geothermal, which means they are using the earths energy. The winery harvests rainwater and keeps about 20,000 gallons in tanks on site. All of that comes from our roofs, McKibben says. McKibben says that most of the winerys water comes from wells. During a normal summer, the collected rainwater supplements the irrigation needs and eases the stress on the wells. During a drought, the rainwater collection system becomes even more vital. The availability of water is a growing issue in agriculture across the country. McKibben has done the math and knows that, in the past nine years, more than 8.8 million gallons of water have fallen on the winerys roofs. Were going to start saving even more of that water, he says. That not only saves money on our irrigation, but it saves money on electricity to pump water, and the grapes get a good source of highnitrogen, neutral-pH water. Its better than well water. Gravity moves the rainwater from the storage tanks through the irrigation system. We do the same thing in our winemaking, he says. We transfer
Left: Large tanks store rainwater thats been collected from the roofs of the winery buildings. The rainwater is used to supplement irrigation systems and reduce pressure on their wells.
A STRONG PHILOSOPHY
THE WATER ISSUE
TX-AGRICULTURE.COM
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Left: Cabernet grapes grow at Red Caboose Winery in Meridian, Texas. Right: The winerys storage barrels are reused in order to be more eco-friendly.
Red Caboose Winery is the most energy efcient and sustainable winery in Texas. It uses
our wine through gravity, which preserves the quality of the wine. Using the earth to chill and the sun to provide electricity may be a high-tech approach, but its also a simplistic approach, McKibben says. In fact, when McKibben first began researching the art of winemaking, he found himself inspired by the earliest principles of wine-making. He read antique books and looked into the methods used more than 100 years ago. Electricity has only been around 130 years, but wine has been around for 6,000, he explains. Thats where we got started. We went back to the basics of making wine and focused on growing the healthiest, best quality grapes we can possibly grow. You can make wine without electricity, but you cant make a good bottle of wine with bad grapes. Kim Madlom
CHILLING AND HEATING
geothermal heating and cooling, and collects all its rainwater. All barrels are recycled, and all waste is composted.
100%
IN AN AVERAGE RAINFALL YEAR, THE ROOF OF THE RED CABOOSE WINERY COLLECTS NEARLY 226,000 GALLONS OF WATER, WHICH IS STORED AND USED IN THE VINEYARDS.
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Go Texan
We designed the winery to be energy efficient and sustainable.
GARY MCKIBBEN
TALL will create a cadre of Texas leaders to help ensure effective understanding and encourage positive action on key issues, theories, policy and economics that will advance the agriculture industry. tall.tamu.edu
Serving up recipes, tips and food for thought
grow, cook, eat, learn
Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association

www.tsgra.com
farmflavor.com

Representing all sheep and goat producers throughout Texas. Large and small producers, working together, making a difference.
TX-AGRICULTURE.COM
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6 78
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RIGHTS ASSOCIATION
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C1A TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES 35 TEXAS PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION 2 TEXAS PORK PRODUCERS
ASSOCIATION INC.
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RAISERS ASSOCIATION
GO TEXAN
2014 EDITION, VOLUME 1 JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Content Director JESSY YANCEY Agribusiness Content Team RACHEL BERTONE, HANNAH PATTERSON, LISA SCRAMLIN Proofreading Manager RAVEN PETTY Contributing Writers MATTHEW ERNST, JILL CLAIR GENTRY, KIM MADLOM, JOHN MCBRYDE, JESSICA MOZO Senior Graphic Designers STACEY ALLIS, LAURA GALLAGHER, JAKE SHORES, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS Graphic Designers JACKIE CIULLA, KACEY PASSMORE, MATT WEST Senior Photographers JEFF ADKINS, BRIAN MCCORD Staff Photographers WENDY JO OBARR, MICHAEL CONTI, FRANK ORDOEZ, MICHAEL TEDESCO Color Imaging Technician ALISON HUNTER Ad Production Manager KATIE MIDDENDORF Ad Traffic Assistants KRYSTIN LEMMON, PATRICIA MOISAN Chairman GREG THURMAN President/Publisher BOB SCHWARTZMAN Executive Vice President RAY LANGEN Senior V.P./Operations CASEY HESTER Senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing KIM NEWSOM HOLMBERG Senior V.P./Agribusiness Sales RHONDA GRAHAM V.P./External Communications TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./Sales HERB HARPER Controller CHRIS DUDLEY Accounts Receivable Coordinator DIANA GUZMAN Sales Support Project Manager SARA QUINT IT Director DANIEL CANTRELL Web Creative Director ALLISON DAVIS Photography Director JEFFREY S. OTTO Creative Services Director CHRISTINA CARDEN Creative Technology Analyst BECCA ARY Integrated Media Managers RICHARD KINCHELOE, KATIE NEWBERN
P.O. Box 397 Falfurrias, TX 78355 361-348-3020 T 361-348-3121 F www.stpra.org
Whether it is border security and immigration reform, groundwater regulation or landowner liability, South Texans Property Rights Association (STPRA) serves as a catalyst for finding solutions to some of the important challenges that exist for South Texas property owners and managers. Visit our website at www.stpra.org and become a part of an organization that makes a difference for property owners and future generations. Our Land. Our Lives.
Visit Our
Ag-Power Inc. www.ag-power.com
advertisers
Texas A&M Forest Service www.texasforestinfo.com Texas A&M Kingsville www.tamuk.edu Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Foundation http://tall.tamu.edu Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association www.tscra.org Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association www.texaschristmastrees.com Texas Electric Cooperatives www.texas-ec.org Texas Pecan Growers Association www.tpga.org Texas Pork Producers Association Inc. www.texaspork.org Texas Poultry Federation www.texaspoultry.org Texas Rice Council www.usriceproducers.com Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association www.tsgra.com West Texas A&M University www.wtamu.edu
Go Texan is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.
AgTexas Farm Credit Services www.agtexas.com Bayer CropScience LP www.bayer.com Dairy Max www.dairymax.org Farm Credit Bank of Texas www.ndfarmcredit.com Lone Star Ag Credit www.lonestaragcredit.com National Cutting Horse Association www.nchacutting.com Prairie View A&M University College of Agriculture & Human Sciences www.pvamu.edu/cahs Priefert www.priefert.com South Texans Property Rights Association www.stpra.org Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show www.fwssr.com Stephen F. Austin State University http://atcofa.sfasu.edu/contact-us Tarleton State University www.tarleton.edu Texas A&M AgriLife www.agrilife.org
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Commissioner TODD STAPLES Deputy Commissioner DREW DEBERRY Chief of Staff SHANNON RUSING Director of Communications BRYAN BLACK Special thanks to all Department staff for their support. For more information about the Texas Department of Agriculture, contact: Bryan Black, Director of Communications 1700 N. Congress, 11th Floor, Austin, TX 78701 (512)-463-7664 or by email at bryan.black@texasagriculture.gov. No public funds were used in the publishing of this magazine. Copyright 2013 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Member The Association of Magazine Media Custom Content Council
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GO TEXAN

AGRICULTURE IS YOUR CULTURE

A RICH WAY OF LIFE

Follow the journey of the states top crop

COMMUNITY AG PROGRAMS INSPIRE YOUNG TEXANS

LEADING THE NATION

7 Welcome Letter 8 Texas Agriculture 12 A Way of Life

Texas families have deep roots in farming and ranching

Crops, Plants & Forestry

24 From Field to Fiber 27 Rows of Success 28 Produce It All

32 Business Is Blooming 36 Standing Solid

Animals, Livestock & Seafood

48 The Legendary Longhorn 50 Sold on Seafood

70 Cafeteria Connections 71 Valued Vines

TEXAS CATTLE RANCHERS

THREE INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

PHOTO BY RUSSELL A. GRAVES

SHARE THE CONTENT

HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE?

The digital magazine is available for tablet and phone viewing.

Todd Staples Texas Agriculture Commissioner

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES TOTAL

1 out of every 7 working Texans is in an agriculture-related job.

247,500 farms and ranches

TEXAS LEADS THE NATION WITH

Texas has approximately

different soils within its borders.

Texas leads the nation in:

SHEEP AND WOOL

GOATS AND MOHAIR

Top Agriculture Products

VEGETABLES AND MELONS

GREENHOUSE & NURSERY

Texas families nurture deep roots in farming and ranching

TEXAS FARMERS HAVE STRONG

THE AVERAGE TEXAS FARMER OR RANCHER IS

RAY WILSON RANCH

CROPS, PLANTS & FORESTRY

Lone Star State ranks rst for cotton production

FARMING MORE EFFICIENTLY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ORDOEZ

COTTON INDUSTRYS FUTURE

Top Texas Cotton Counties:

3.9 million acres

FARMERS HARVESTED COTTON FROM

TEXAS PRODUCES ABOUT

OF THE ENTIRE U.S. COTTON CROP.

TEXAS CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS

Caring for families

Caring for the land

Caring for Texas

CROPS, PLANTS & FORESTRY

From Field to Fiber

3. Irrigation and Water Management

CROPS, PLANTS & FORESTRY

The Texas peanut industry is worth more than

1.55 million acres of corn were harvested in 2012.

Yield averages for Texas-grown crops:

CROPS, PLANTS & FORESTRY

TEXAS RANKS AMONG THE

THE PECAN TREE IS THE STATE TREE OF TEXAS.

RESEARCH BREEDS IMPROVEMENTS

PHOTO BY FRANK ORDOEZ

THE STATES WATERMELON CROP RANKS

We designed the winery to be energy efficient and sustainable.