“MY TELEPHONE NUMBER IS ON THE GAS PUMP,” said Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller to those attending a political rally in Limestone County earlier this month.  (Submitted Photo)

 

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller was at the Limestone County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 20, 2018 to visit with farmers, ranchers, land owners, and local citizens from Limestone and surrounding counties.

Many are unaware of the extent of inspections conducted by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the beneficial effect they have on private citizens.

One that affects all drivers is the inspection of gasoline and diesel pumps to ensure that they are accurate and deliver the full amount of fuel paid for.  Fuel quality is assured by the TDA, also.

Miller stressed concern over the school lunch program.  “The healthiness and quality of the food is essential, but if the kids won’t eat it, it is wasted,” said Miller, “and they are still hungry.”

So, according to Miller, there has to be a balance.  Inspections of food products are extensive and assure the quality and safety of perishable products in food stores where scales and retail scanners are inspected regularly under TDA rules.

These are just a few of the inspections and quality assurance duties of TDA that affect consumers and Miller state that, “Farmers and ranchers, for the most part, are already familiar with TDA inspections and regulations.

Miller spoke with pleasure about the marketing success he has achieved with foreign countries like beef contracts with Communist China, the first in many years, and sales of Texas pecans to a country in the Middle East.

Texas leads the nation in the production of many agricultural products and sales such as these examples are important to the Texas economy.

Commissioner Miller closed by inviting everyone down to Austin for a visit and mentioned that his office is a little different, with trophy saddles and other western items.

He passed out his business cards, but said, “If you lose it, my telephone number is on the gas pump.”

Submitted by Larry P. Smith.