Agriculture is the clothes we wear and the food we eat, but it encompasses so much more. It comprises our medicines, makeup, tires, toothpaste, and myriad other consumer products that we often take for granted. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American agriculture industry employed more than two million people in production agriculture alone during 2008. Right here in the Lone Star State, agriculture employs one in seven working Texans (14%), and contributes a state economic impact of over $100 billion.
The point is this: agriculture, especially in Texas, is a vibrant and dynamic industry that we all depend on daily. It is an industry that provides jobs in production, marketing, transportation, research, and education. Unfortunately, many people have no idea where their food comes from or how it impacts our economy. Mike Rowe, host of Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel, sums up the plight of the American farmer very well.
“Technical advances in modern agriculture now rival those of Silicon Valley, and today’s farms are more efficient than ever, but no one seems to have gotten the memo. No one seems to care.”
Education and hard work are the keys to making sure people start caring about agriculture. Agriculture affects us all, even beyond the aisles of the grocery store, and we all depend on it daily. It has been my honor to serve as your Texas Commissioner of Agriculture over the past few years, and with your help I will continue to fight for farmers, ranchers, and all Texas consumers, ensuring that their stories are told and their families have a promising tomorrow. Agriculture is alive and well in Texas, and I intend to keep it that way!
