By Jessica Domel

I’m of the opinion that there’s nothing quite like a livestock show and rodeo. I’ve only been to a few in my life, but I have to say, there’s something about standing under the bright lights with my boots crunching fresh hay while the aroma of freshly cooked hot dogs fills the air. The sounds of children’s excitement as they crowd around a display of freshly-hatched chicks is just intoxicating.I forget how exciting it can be to see those first few moments of life, and I have to tell you, it’s something to behold.

By Darrell Bowers

I am a farmer. It’s what I am and what I’ve always wanted to be. It is a family business. In fact, agriculture today is kind of difficult to get into without a family history of it.

My name is Darrell Bowers, and I appreciate this chance to talk to my customers and Texas neighbors. I farm near Victoria, Texas, and I am 30 years old. I am married and have two children. The Texas Farm Bureau has chosen this week to make a special effort to connect with the people who are our customers. We call it Texas Food Connection Week. I appreciate you!

By Suzie Wilde

I kiss a family farmer.

Some of the land he farms has been in his family for almost 100 years. He does all the work himself at this point in his farming career, except for harvest time when two or three other folks have to help. Often those are even all family members, including his town-dwelling wife, at times. (I can pack a pretty tight module, if I do say so myself.) But lately I have come to realize that many of those out there who are critics of farming think that the farmer I kiss should not be allowed to be called a family farmer. They think that he has too much land, too many tractors, a barn that is too big… They contend that he is “big ag” or “corporate farming.”

By Gene Hall

Some believe the answer to future food needs is for many people to grow their own food.  As a nation, as a species, we once did that—nearly all of us at first. Now, more than 97 percent depend on those who work the land.

Could it be that way again?  Sure.  Growing up on the farm in the late ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s was an experience I would not trade for anything, but I left it willingly.  Since World War II, most of America has done the same.

By Gene Hall

My goodness, have we reached the point where disagreeing on something makes us “haters?” Gee, I hope not.  Recently, here on Texas Agriculture Talks, we pointed out some problems with recent ads by the chain restaurant Chipotle in what are plainly attacks on modern agriculture. Other Farm Bureau writers around the country posted similar views. 

Chipotle’s ad was cute and engaging—cartoon pigs, cartoon farmer and a lovely Willie Nelson rendition of the Coldplay tune, The Scientist, Back to the Start. A colleague of mine says there’s no black or white on this. It’s either an attack on conventional agriculture that justifies a response or it’s gospel truth and any response is the start of the attack.