By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

People of all ages, both young and young at heart, explored the world of Texas agriculture at stock shows and events this spring through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Doorways to Agriculture exhibit.

“Most Texans are now four or five generations removed from the farm. It’s important they reconnect to agriculture,” TFB Urban Outreach Coordinator Todd Swick said. “That’s why we focus on accurate information through our traveling exhibits throughout the state.”

Doorways to Agriculture is designed to engage consumers about why agriculture is important. Consumers can interact with state-of-the-art touchscreen kiosks, oversized interactive “books” and a theater showcasing videos produced by TFB. The walk-through trailer is full of displays and games that encourage consumers of all ages to learn more about food and fiber.

Whether you live in the country or the heart of a big city, most items Americans use every day begin on a farm. Doorways to Agriculture is TFB’s way of inviting people in to discover all the ways Texas farmers and ranchers impact their life.

The Doorways to Agriculture exhibit includes a miniature model of a cotton gin, which shows the process cotton goes through.

“Visitors watch as raw cotton that was picked from a Texas cotton field is placed into the gin and quickly separated into lint and cottonseed. This replica allows all visitors to see the inside processes similar to the original gin invented by Eli Whitney in 1794,” he said.

This year, the exhibit was on display at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo Austin.

It is also at the State Fair of Texas and the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo every fall.

Learn more about Doorways to Agriculture at texasfarmbureau.org/youth/ag-in-the-community.