By Todd Staples
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
For many of us, Thanksgiving brings to mind football, turkey, stuffing and gathering with family and friends. Thanksgiving also is a time to give thanks for the harvest and the farmers and ranchers who put food on our tables.
Texas agriculture is something we can be truly thankful for as we celebrate Thanksgiving alongside our friends and family. Thanks to the hard work of Texas farmers and ranchers, we are able to enjoy the most abundant, most affordable and safest food supply in the world.
One of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, praised farmers as some of our most valuable citizens. He also considered agriculture to be a science of the very first order.
Our farmers and ranchers preserve the heritage of Texas, and I would like each and every Texan to take a few moments to thank them for the work they do to make our state great. Extend your heartfelt appreciation to a farmer, rancher, food processor or any of the other millions of people across Texas who help ensure that we have food on our tables every day.
And please do not forget there are plenty of opportunities to donate food or volunteer your time to make sure every Texan can enjoy nutritious meals this holiday season. The Texas Foodbank Network provides an easy-to-use map that shows food banks across the state where you can donate.
Visit www.EndHungerInTex.org for more information.
I wish all Texans a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.
