Combs details TDA's programs to rural Texans

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Texas Ag Commissioner Susan Combs made a town hall meeting stop in Schulenburg recently. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Oct. 13, 2005 - “Texas needs new things (for people to do) and you are only limited by your imagination,” noted Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs in a recent community meeting in Schulenburg.

While making her rounds in rural Texas, Combs spoke to a group of producers and others interested in agribusiness, reminding them of all of the possibilities available to Texans outside of urban areas.

�I think it�s important for the ag commissioner to get out to rural Texas,� she explained.

Talking about TDA’s Go Texan program, Combs said those who are part of the marketing program have a “nine-to-one” return on their products. She talked about “adding value” to traditional production, and related that many areas of Texas now have vineyards, with 102 wineries in Texas, this year. 

Another example of TDA marketing assistance involves information on turning corn fields into a maze where kids and adults can “wander” through in the fall … another source of income for rural citizens.

Combs urged producers to “re-access your property for something new.” According to her figures, only 1.9 percent of the Texas population is involved in production agriculture, today. And, statistically, one farmer can produce enough to feed 131 people and 27 off-shore citizens. 

In talking about diversification, she … laughingly … told a story about a lady from an urban area who was visiting on Combs’ ranch in Brewster County. While outside, a rattlesnake crawled out of the grass and on to the sidewalk. Combs immediately started beating the snake, but the urban visitor thought it was part of the program she was attending!

�Just remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression,� she told the crowd.

Combs also pointed out farmers’ markets have sprung up in urban as well as rural areas, in recent years, with big turnouts and expectations for the fresh products.

She talked about “birding” in Texas and how big of a market that is, drawing people to rural areas from all over Texas, as well as other states. Hunting was another venture she advised producers to consider on their property.

According to Combs, there is $500,000 in her department to spend on communities under 20,000 who are trying to bring in “new money, new people and new plans.” She said that many more companies are considering re-locating to rural areas. The Texas Capitol Fund has $12 million available for infrastructure in rural areas, if citizens and local governments choose to pursue the funding.

Another area with much demand in rural Texas involves the medical field. Combs noted there are 153 counties in Texas (out of 254 counties) that do not have one doctor of obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN). In order for all of the plans to come together, there needs to be a strategic plan: health care, housing and jobs, she concluded.

(For more information: www.texasyes.org.)