YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

One label fits most Texas farms: Family

By Gene Hall

Farms come in all sizes in the Lone Star State. Their efficiency and productivity yield a boggling array of food. A common perception, however, is that big is bad and small is good.

Wrong. Farmers, big and small, have much in common. Both must be good businessmen. Both have a love of the earth and growing things. Both understand bugs and plant diseases and how to make crops grow to their fullest potential. Both take the huge risks of nature and markets to put food on your plate.

Their biggest difference is the amount of acres they work. And that causes consternation to some.

Sometimes big farms are labeled as industrial or factory with the connotation that big is bad. Sometimes small farms are labeled idyllic or pastoral when many times they struggle to hold their heads above water.

The truth is, Texas farms—big or small—are family farms. Their challenge is to put food on our tables. Our payoff is safe and abundant food at reasonable prices. 

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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