Dear Farmer,

As a loyal customer, I am grateful for you and the other Texas farmers and ranchers who grow the fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that I buy and serve to my family. Each week, I know the shelves at my local grocery store will be stocked with a large variety of products with plenty of price, flavor and nutrition choices.

By Gene Hall

Dick Wallrath’s generosity to FFA and 4-H is the stuff of legends.

The top individual donor by far to these organizations, Wallrath knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom. He also understands the power of forgiveness, faith and hard work to heal the scars of addiction and pain.

Wallrath beat alcoholism and went on to establish Champion Windows, which became phenomenally successful. When he decided to give back to his country and state, he did so in a big way. His gifts to these organizations total more than $16 million.

By Mike Barnett

Social media in agriculture for third generation farmer and rancher Jeff Fowle boils down to a few simple words: “That is what I am. That is what I share. This is my story.”

Fowle, who didn’t know Twitter from Facebook two years ago, is now regarded as an expert in agricultural social media. He spoke those words at Texas Farm Bureau‘s summer commodity conference recently. They stuck with me. I hope they stick with you as well.

Agriculture is very good at telling consumers what is good for them. We’re not so good at listening; or talking; or changing the way we operate to meet their expectations. We must engage consumers in meaningful dialogue. We must build trust.

By Nathan Smith

It’s 3 a.m. The air is hot, the wind is rising. Smoke is heavy in the sky.

A wall of fire rages through a pasture and only minutes before an entire herd perished in the flames. The only thing between other frightened cattle and impending death is a rancher.

This is not a fictional scenario. It’s one that has played across Texas for the last six months. And with little rain falling, it will continue.

By Mike Barnett
I have a double-dose of fed up. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as well as other animal rights groups, continue to mislead the public on animal abuse and food safety with today’s release of an undercover video of an egg production facility in Texas.

On one hand I’m sick of those bad players in the livestock industry who mistreat their animals.  On the other, I’m sick of the animal rights activist groups who promote these isolated incidents as an indictment of the entire meat and egg industry.