By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Texas lawmakers and legislative staff stepped out of the Capitol and onto the farm to learn more about agriculture this week.
Hays, Travis and Caldwell County Farm Bureaus worked with the Luling Foundation and the Texas Agriculture Council to host the Legislative Ag Day on May 13.
Several Texas legislators and over 60 staff members for Texas senators and representatives attended the event, growing a better understanding of agriculture and the issues facing the industry.
“This is a lot different atmosphere than being at the Capitol in Austin,” said State Rep. Stan Gerdes. “For the legislative staffers and the legislators to come down here and be able to see it, to smell it, to have hands-on experience of what it looks like in agriculture is very important, and it gives you a different perspective than just talking about it in a conference room in the Capitol.”
This year’s event was held at the Luling Foundation, a model farm established by Edgar B. Davis in 1927. The farm has been a longtime advocate for Texas agriculture and has a long history of diverse agricultural practices.
Participants rotated through stations that showcased different aspects of farming and ranching. They learned about beef cattle, cotton, sheep and goats, poultry, watermelon production and some of the issues facing farmers and ranchers.
“It was really helpful for people like me and other staff members who work at the Capitol and work closely with not only members of the community, but members within agriculture as well, to get a clear understanding of what the processes are and what farmers and ranchers are experiencing every day,” said Amy Morales, a legislative staff member for State Sen. Pete Flores.
Legislative Ag Day also provided an opportunity for agricultural organizations to build relationships with lawmakers and their staff.
“Agriculture remains one of the largest economic drivers in our state, and hearing directly from farmers and ranchers helps lawmakers and their staff understand the real-world impact of state policy decisions,” said Nicholas Cooper, chief of staff for State Rep. Angela Orr.
Joe Morris, a member of Travis County Farm Bureau’s board of directors, said the idea for Legislative Ag Day began years ago after realizing many Capitol staff members had limited exposure to agriculture.
Morris noted fewer Texans today have direct ties to agriculture, which makes educational opportunities like this increasingly important.
“This is a good opportunity to bring legislators and their staff members out to the farm, let them see where their food, fiber and fuel come from, and have a better understanding of what it takes to put those commodities on their table,” Morris said.
Discussion throughout the day also centered around groundwater issues, which are expected to be a major focus during the next legislative session.
“Legislators may not understand why agriculture uses as much water as it does, but I think today was a really good investment of time for farmers and ranchers to spend time with lawmakers and staff members from the Capitol and explain what it looks like out in the field,” said Rob Hughes, executive director of the Texas Forestry Association and chairman of the Texas Agriculture Council.
Gerdes said agriculture remains critical to both the state and national economy, especially during challenging economic times.
“We’re living in some tough economic times right now, but it has been said food security is national security,” Gerdes said. “The production of agriculture in Texas and around the nation is certainly important to keep farmers and ranchers in business and consumers with food and clothing. Without food, fuel and fiber, we’re kind of at a standstill.”
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