Agriculture Goes to Bat in 2010 World Series

As the 2010 World Series steps up to the plate, baseball fans may be surprised to know how agriculture plays out on the Field of Dreams. From wooden bats and leather mitts to cotton uniforms and turfgrass, America's pastime would be a tough pitch without the products of farmers and ranchers. So, whether you're rooting for the Texas Rangers or San Francisco Giants in this year's World Series, keep an eye out for agriculture while you're staying glued to the tube.

• Baseball bats are made of wood and in Texas, the timber industry produces more than 500 million cubic feet of lumber annually with a delivered value of more than $600 million.
• Leather is used to make mitts and Texas leads the nation in cattle with more than 13 million head, which have an annual production value of about $6 billion.
• Peanuts are a favorite snack at baseball games and in Texas, we produce more than 700 million pounds of peanuts - enough to make 7 billion peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
• Hot dogs are a traditional favorite at baseball games and the Texas pork industry has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $250 million.
• Hot dogs also need hot dog buns. Texas growers produce an average of 90 million bushels of wheat annually - enough to make more than 25 billion hot dog buns.
• Texas is a leading dairy state and produces enough milk each year to fill the Texas Rangers Ball Park in Arlington nearly eight times.
• Texas is the nation's No. 1 cotton-producing state, growing enough cotton every year to make about 3 billion baseball uniforms. If the bales of cotton produced in Texas were placed side-by-side, they could line both sides of the road from the Rangers' ballpark to the San Francisco Giants' home field.
• Want wool socks to go with that uniform? Texas is the top wool-producing state in the nation, with more than 800,000 sheep yielding nearly 4 million pounds of wool.
• Cornstarch can be used to make biodegradable plastic for drink cups, tableware, and more. Texas growers expect to produce 294 million bushels of corn in 2010.
• The grass is always greener at the ballpark. Texas harvests nearly 40,000 acres of turf grass sod annually.
• How better to celebrate a world championship than with a good steak dinner? Texas produces about 8 billion pounds of beef a year.
• Where else but Texas can you find a World Series baseball teamed owned by a Texas rancher who has a brand of beef named after him? Nolan Ryan produces great Texas beef and a world-class baseball team.

These are just a few examples of agriculture powering every aspect of our daily lives, from our dinnertimes to our pastimes.

TDA's Wine Passport Program Wins Award

Guest Blogger: Kerry Neely, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Marketing

I'm proud to announce the Texas Department of Agriculture's Texas Winery Passport Program won the 2010 North American Agriculture Marketing Officials (NAAMO) Agricultural Marketing Excellence award!

The winery passport program works in new and innovative ways to offer incentives to visitors experiencing Texas wine country. Through the program, more than 1 million travelers visit Texas vineyards and wineries, while meeting the winemakers who take pride in their craft. Thanks to those winemakers, Texas is the fifth-leading wine-producing state in the nation.

When travelers redeem their passports, not only does TDA send them a reward or connect them with a reward-donating winery that offers tastings, dinners or overnight stays, the agency also receives valuable feedback about consumer interests that serves as essential market research.

NAAMO awarded TDA and Texas this honor above all other U.S. states and Canadian provinces. To learn more about the Texas Winery Passport Program, visit www.gotexanwine.org.

Congratulations again to TDA's Marketing and Promotion Division for superior strategy and excellent execution!

TDA Kicks Off "Hog Out Month - Get the Hog Outta Texas!"

Guest Blogger, Drew DeBerry, Deputy Agriculture Commissioner

A big, Texas-sized thank you goes out to Tarrant County and about 60 other Texas counties that have accepted Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples' statewide challenge "Hog Out Month - Get the Hog Outta Texas!"

The challenge is aimed at reducing the costly feral hog population in Texas by challenging counties to compete for grant money for having the highest number of hogs removed; highest number of participants at a TDA-approved education program about feral hog abatement; and highest number of acres in the county that landowners will commit to allow access by trappers.

As any farmer or rancher will tell you, feral hogs are destructive to property and livestock throughout Texas. With additional damage done to urban areas and vehicles, feral hogs cost Texas taxpayers up to $400 million each year in property damages.

In the spirit of fun and football, the announcement of this challenge also serves to invite Texans to the "Hog Out Tailgate Party" scheduled as part of the Texas A&M Aggies versus Arkansas Razorbacks game at Cowboys Stadium Oct. 9. Cheering the Aggies to victory over the Razorbacks will help rally the fight against feral hogs.

A special thanks to Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley for joining Commissioner Staples and endorsing "Hog Out Month - Get the Hog Outta Texas!" Both men know firsthand the damage caused by feral hogs in Tarrant County and offered their full support and participation.

For more information about "Hog Out Month - Get the Hog Outta Texas!" visit www.TexasAgriculture.gov and look under Most Popular Links. Go Texas landowners! Go Aggies, and let's all work to "Get the Hog Outta Texas!"

Muleshoe to Star on National Network

Guest Blogger, Rick Rhodes, Assistant Commissioner of Rural Economic Development

Besides having immediate name recognition, the city of Muleshoe, Texas, also has promoted itself as a tourism destination through the Texas Department of Agriculture's GO TEXAN Rural Community Program.

Last June, the Food Network visited Muleshoe to film an "Ace of Cakes" episode called "Slow Mules and Fast Cars." Chef Duff Goldman and his crew experienced true Texas hospitality as they enjoyed a potluck dinner, complete with savory Texas brisket and homemade ice cream. The bakers even got to ride authentic Muleshoe mules.

More than 200 people, including TDA Rural Economic Development staff, eagerly awaited the Muleshoe-themed cake made by Chef Duff and his crew. The cake was in the shape of a mule-riding hat (6” brim) - not to be confused with a cowboy hat - sitting on top of two mule shoes. Christian, the mule ridden by Chef Duff, even sampled some cake.

The episode will air Thursday, Sept. 30, at 9 p.m. CST on the Food Network. The national exposure for the city of Muleshoe is another step city leaders are taking to promote Muleshoe and its quality of life. The city also is currently working on its GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community application, which helps Texas communities market themselves as tourism and retirement destinations.

I applaud the leaders of Muleshoe for taking steps get the city's name out there.

Free Pesticide Waste Disposal

Guest Blogger: Jimmy Bush, Texas Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner for Pesticide Programs

In an effort to help agricultural producers properly dispose of pesticides, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has scheduled free collection events during September and October.

TCEQ will accept old pesticides, including those that are now banned for use. They will also accept other chemicals like petroleum fuels, automotive fluids, grease, oil filters and lead acid batteries.

Producers may bring two, 55-gallon drums of oil filters. If you have more than one pickup truck load of pesticide waste, contact TCEQ or your county extension agent to coordinate delivery.

I encourage all Texas ag producers to please take the time to properly dispose of waste materials. To find a complete schedule of pesticide waste disposal pick-ups, click here. For more information on upcoming collection events, including which pesticides will be accepted, visit TCEQ's website.

Food and Fiber Pavilion at State Fair of Texas is a Sight to See

Guest Blogger: Drew DeBerry, Deputy Agriculture Commissioner

This year marks the 39th year of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Fiber Pavilion bringing Texas products to visitors at the State Fair of Texas.

If you're in Dallas Sept. 24 - Oct. 17, I encourage you stop by the Food and Fiber Pavilion, which is sponsored by Borden. You can find items from more than 100 GO TEXAN members who are selling the best of Texas foods, clothing, gifts, leather goods and cotton products.

The State Fair is a great Texas tradition that offers fun for the whole family. Live music, fair food, an auto show and livestock competitions are just some of the great attractions at the fair. Visit the State Fair of Texas website for a schedule of events, maps and other helpful information.

We hope to see you there!

Go Out. Go Eat. GO TEXAN.

Guest Blogger: Elizabeth Hadley, Assistant Commissioner for Marketing and Promotions

Texas has a well-earned reputation for fantastic food and wine, which is why the GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up, presented by Farm Credit Sept. 27-Oct. 1, is such an exciting event. Not only does the weeklong, statewide dine-out event celebrate Texas restaurants, foods and wines, it also benefits local food banks, as many participating restaurants will donate a portion of proceeds to help feed hungry Texans.

Now in its third year, the Round-Up highlights Texas-grown and raised foods along with Texas wines. During the event, participating restaurants will offer food-and-wine pairings, fixed-price meals and other menu offerings featuring fresh, quality Texas ingredients. Round-Up also kicks off Texas Wine Month in October.


Make plans with your family and co-workers to enjoy a quality meal at a participating GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up establishment, Sept. 27-Oct. 1. To find a participating restaurant near you, visit the GO TEXAN website.

Remember: Go Out. Go Eat. GO TEXAN.

Help us Promote Texas!

We know Texas is a great state offering everything from wineries in the Hill Country to camping in Big Bend, and we want you to help us capture the attractions that make our state a shining star. The Texas Department of Agriculture is still accepting submissions for the "Texas Is…" amateur video competition.

Winning videos will be used in a promotional campaign to publicize the appeal of Texas and boost tourism. The videos may be used in TDA marketing materials, social media sites and on the TDA website.

You can submit your video online, via e-mail or by mail. But hurry, the deadline for contest entries is Oct. 31, 2010. For complete contest details and submission instructions, visit
www.TexasAgriculture.gov. You can watch a video sample here:

Send us your video and help us brag about Texas.

A Moment of Pause: Remembering 9/11

Guest blogger: Drew DeBerry, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture

Today is one of the darkest anniversaries in the history of our great nation. The shock of watching New York City’s Twin Towers fall at the hands of cowardly terrorists continues to weigh heavy on our hearts.

The nightmare is even more horrific for those families who lost loved ones at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.

Nine years after 9/11, the fallout of hatred lingers as we watch religious intolerance unfold at Ground Zero, in Florida and in our neighborhoods. Understandably, the wounds remain deep and painful.

I ask all Americans and our friends around the world today to please take a moment to remember our fallen heroes, their families and the children who must grow up in a confusing, post-9/11 world.

Today, let’s harness humility instead of hatred. Let’s remember with uncluttered clarity. Let’s pray for a more peaceful world for our children.

God bless America, God bless our fallen and God bless our troops. We will never forget 9/11.

Spoken Like a True Texan

Guest Blogger: Drew DeBerry, Texas Deputy Agriculture Commissioner

Cotton farmers in West Texas are proud to call Roger Haldenby a friend. And it's no mystery as to why based on this article he released yesterday. Although Roger's accent is anything but West Texan, the Englishman's heart is clearly at home in the cotton fields of the South Plains. Rather than adding my own words to Roger's eloquently presented perspective, please take time to read it yourself. I hope it inspires some Texas pride under your cotton shirt like it did in me. GO TEXAN!