"As the growing part of the agricultural industry provides an additional economic driver for the state, I am glad so many Texans are taking advantage of this emerging market."─Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Our authors are often pleased to receive feedback from readers. Recently Pam Walker, author of Growing Good Things to Eat in Texas: Profiles of Organic Farmers and Ranchers across the State opened her mail the other day to find a message waiting from Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs!
In her letter, Combs, who is also a certified organic beef producer on her Marfa ranch, congratulated Walker on her advocacy on behalf of the local- and family-owned segment of Texas agriculture.
Boggy Creek Farm, located just outside Austin, is one of the locally- and family-owned farms Walker profiles in her book.
An excerpt:
"The determination of our state's farmers and ranchers and their efforts to diversify to meet consumer demand continues to keep Texas ranked as a leading agriculture economy. The types of operations you highlight in your book are a bright example of our proud agricultural heritage continuing toward a successful future. Federal legislation and policy is taking note of this expanding segment of the industry and additional programs are being developed to support farmers markets, specialty crop production and value-added producer operations, among other intitiatives."
Combs went on, urging Walker to share her book and information with the Texas members of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, as well as U.S. senators representing Texas.
