By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Texas legislative staff traded their suits and ties for boots and jeans for a trip to the farm last month to learn more about agriculture.
Hays, Travis and Caldwell County Farm Bureaus worked with the Luling Foundation and the Texas Ag Council to host the Legislative Ag Day on June 9.
About 30 staff members for Texas senators and representatives attended the event, growing a better understanding of agriculture and the issues facing the industry.
“Because of the growing urban population in Texas, most of the legislators and their staff are from urban areas, and there are fewer and fewer rural representatives and senators,” Joe Morris, Travis County Farm Bureau president, said. “What we are trying to do is give urban legislators and staff, who otherwise have no contact with agriculture and rural life, a glimpse into what agriculture is.”
This year’s event was held at the Luling Foundation, a model farm established over 90 years ago. The farm has been a longtime advocate for Texas agriculture and has a long history of diverse agricultural practices.
“It’s important that we get these folks out in the country looking at some production practices that we do with different commodities in this state,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said.
The day’s activities included stations to show different aspects of farming and ranching.
Legislative staff inspected various equipment and learned about the high cost of operating and maintaining machinery on the farm.
A demonstration on beef cattle production showed low-stress animal handling techniques.
Discussions on corn production, pecan production, land stewardship and agricultural valuation were also on the agenda. Farmers and ranchers discussed problems they face and the necessity of protecting water rights for agricultural use.
There was also a discussion on honey production and the importance of bees to agriculture.
A discussion on honey production and the importance of bees to agriculture was held to help legislative staff better understand how farmers work with the environment.
Will Rider, who serves as the legislative director for Rep. Stan Lambert, noted Texas is growing increasingly urban.
Lambert’s district includes Taylor, Jones and Nolan counties, covering both urban and rural areas.
“It’s important to get out and hear from cattle producers, bee producers,” Rider said. “I think just hearing from the sources about issues that need some work is one of the most important things that I’ll take from this.”
The event was an opportunity to cultivate relationships with legislative aides and answer questions and concerns they might have.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Rider said. “I think the most important thing really is meeting more people here, building those relationships. So as issues arise, as we get closer to a session, they can come to us, tell us what they need and really keep those relationships alive.”
The day closed with a skeet shoot demonstration, giving the legislative staff an opportunity to try their hand at the sport and learn about gun safety.
“Having these folks better understand the issues affecting farmers and ranchers can only be a great benefit to Texas agriculture,” Boening said.