AgriCurrents, Oct. 17, 2003

				Return to TFB Main Page Return to Current Edition Texas Agriculture Archive October 17, 2003 Meetings address ag water conservation

				A series of three public stakeholder meetings have been scheduled in October to provide an overview of the Texas Water Development Board's (TWDB) Agricultural Water Conservation Program. The meetings will be held from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the following locations and dates: • Oct. 21, Texas A&M Center, Uvalde • Oct. 22, Texas A&M Center, Weslaco • Oct. 30, USDA-ARS Center, Lubbock. The meetings are scheduled to provide potential program beneficiaries with an overview of the current program and to request input on what changes would provide the best value to the people it serves. Currently, the TWDB's Agricultural Water Conservation Program provides technical and financial assistance to political subdivisions and eligible persons for programs and projects that are consistent with agricultural water conservation and non-point source quality activities. SB 1053, passed by the 78th Legislature, amends various sections of the Texas Water Code to enable the TWDBG to implement changes in the agency's agricultural water conservation and non-point source pollution program. TWDB's Agricultural Water Conservation Program provides technical and financial assistance to political subdivisions and eligible persons for programs and projects that are consistent with agricultural water conservation and non-point source quality activities. For more information or to submit comments, please contact Comer Tuck at comer.tuck@twdb.state.tx.us or at (512) 936-2343.
				Texas Yes! program gets $1 million grant
				Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs has announced that the Texas Department of Agriculture's Texas Yes! program has received a $1 million grant from the Governor's Office for a two-year period to market and promote tourism in rural Texas. The grant is part of Gov. Perry's recently announced broad economic development initiative. "Rural areas of Texas are an untapped natural resource for tourism in the Lone Star State, and I am grateful to Gov. Perry for his support and commitment to rural tourism," Combs said. "This grant will enhance our focused effort to promote the fairs and festivals, unique events and scenic beauty found in our rural areas." Launched this summer, Texas Yes! is TDA's new economic development initiative to showcase and promote the towns, cities and counties of rural Texas. Texas Yes! members include businesses, organizations and government entities residing in a non-metropolitan statistical area, an unincorporated area, or a city with a population under 20,000. Associate Texas Yes! members include Texas businesses, cities and organizations located in larger metropolitan areas that promote and support rural Texas but do not qualify for regular membership.
				Panel: Make school lunches healthier?
				USDA should make school lunches healthier, according to a group of expert witnesses who testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Instead of inundating kids with canned vegetables and processed white bread, schools should serve fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Schools are receiving a mixed message, according to witness testimony. "We tell them to serve more fruits and vegetables, and then supply them with heavily processed foods and surplus commodities," said a University of Minnesota nutritionist. But, according to Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio), it's easier said than done. "The Department of Agriculture has two major objectives in its mission to provide food products to schools. One objective is to purchase products as part of the Department's price-support and surplus-removal programs," Boehner told the hearing. "The second is to provide schools with high quality, nutritious foods so that children have access to meals that are both healthful and appealing. These objectives are frequently at odds."
				Hall named PRSA fellow
				Gene Hall, director of Information and Public Relations of Texas Farm Bureau and publisher of Texas Agriculture, has been awarded the lifetime designation of Fellow by the Public Relations Society of America. Less than 2 percent of the PRSA national/ international membership has been recognized with this designation. Selection is based on professional performance and contributions that have significantly advanced the status of public relations. "We're very proud of Gene's achievement in the public relations field," TFB Executive Director Vernie Glasson said. "Gene exemplifies the professionalism of the Farm Bureau staff."
				Notable Quotables
				"We are pleased the administration reached an agreement with Russia to establish tariff-rate quota (TRQ) mechanisms that will increase export opportunities for the U.S. agriculture industry. As the largest export market for U.S. poultry and a significant importer of U.S. pork and beef, Russia is an important trading partner for the United States. With the TRQ provisions of the agreement, we will have the opportunity to build upon U.S.-Russian trade relations and broaden the U.S. market share within Russia." American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman, commending the U.S. Trade Representative for reaching an agreement with Russia regarding market access for U.S. poultry, pork and beef.