Combs touts state's agriculture industry

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Betty and Wilfred Bartoskewitz created the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center near Seguin. The center was host to a recent event in which Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs was the main speaker. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Nov. 4, 2004 - After a year in operation, the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center, just outside of Seguin, treated agricultural and educational leaders to lunch on the grounds in the "Big Red Barn."

The event coincided with the second Ag Fair for Kids that drew between 800 and 1,000 area children from seven counties. The students were introduced to farming and ranching demonstrations during the trip, and even got to see where milk "really comes from!"

Those in attendance were treated to Susan Combs, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, as the featured speaker. Combs discussed the importance of agriculture in Texas, as well as new challenges that continually arise.

One TDA program, "Go Texan," has been very successful over the past few years. Currently, the program has around 1,600 members, according to Combs.

Other special programs Combs mentioned included the "Texas YES" program which promotes tourism in rural areas, and the "Ag in the Classroom," hosted by local Farm Bureaus across the state, which targets fourth graders.

Combs told the attendees that water still looms as the largest problem Texas must deal with .... "If you're not paying attention to your water, you'll wish you did!" she noted.

Special guests and donors were recognized during the luncheon program, and plans for the future growth of the center were presented. The center was the brainchild of Wilfred and Betty Bartoskewitz, several years ago, because they wanted to teach their grandchildren, as well as other children, what farming and ranching is really about, and what all it contributes to fellow Texans.

(To contact the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center for visits: 830-379-0933 or 379-1122.)