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New Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller
Poised to Help Grow GO TEXAN,
Promote the Products Made Here in Texas
This month, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) welcomed our new leader — Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. As Commissioner Miller takes office, we’re excited to share with you his commitment to seeing the GO TEXAN program continue its strong growth, as well as his desire to serve the hardworking men and women who have made Texas agriculture the powerhouse it is today.
“I’m a proud Texan, and GO TEXAN is a true representation of Lone Star pride,” said Commissioner Miller. “Supporting hardworking entrepreneurs and community leaders like our GO TEXAN members is critical, as they are the ones helping grow our economy and create jobs. Plus, there’s nothing more important to me than supporting Texas farmers, ranchers and business owners. That’s what GO TEXAN is all about.”
Commissioner Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to TDA. He is a business owner who operates a commercial tree nursery, as well as a ranch where he raises cattle and championship horses. He is a former vocational agriculture teacher, and has served as a Farm Bureau Director, member of the FFA Advisory Board, chairman of the Texas House Agriculture and Livestock Committee and on the state’s Agriculture Policy Board.
Beyond all of that, Commissioner Miller is a world champion cowboy who just won his ninth world title. He’s also a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Through-and-through, Commissioner Miller is dedicated to Texas agriculture. He’s a man who brings practical experience to the table, as he’s earned his living off the land by raising crops, cattle, horses and trees.
Please join everyone at TDA in giving him a Texas-sized welcome!
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Capistrano Soap Company: Living the Dream
In 2011, Capistrano Soap Company was founded by Deborah Sibley, a dreamer who made a mid-life career change. She longed to follow the soap-making heritage passed down through three generations of her family. She left a public relations career to handcraft an all-natural, luxury line of bath and body products. Capistrano is now a family-owned company based in San Antonio, where artisanal soaps and lotions are created from pure ingredients sourced from American raw materials.
“We’re proud to handcraft our all-natural ACEQUIA® bodycare in Texas and believe the GO TEXAN program provides greater opportunities to promote our locally made products,” said Sibley. “Texas agriculture also plays an important role in how we source nature's soothing oils, emollient-rich botanicals and blissful butters for our products. We make every effort to buy our natural ingredients first locally, then regionally, before going out of state. It’s important for us to have an impact on our local community and throughout the state of Texas.”
As members in the GO TEXAN program, Sibley’s family business has been able to participate in reduced booth rates at the Dallas Market. “This has allowed us to exhibit within our budget and side-by-side with more established brands. Select retailers throughout the state now carry our artisan line of soaps and lotions as a result of our presence at the market. Additionally, we have even received inquiries directly from the GO TEXAN website as buyers recognize the attraction of buying Texas goods for their stores.”
Visit the San Antonio company on Facebook, Twitter and on their website.
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GO TEXAN Retail Program
Helps Get Texas Products on the Shelves
The GO TEXAN team works year-round to offer product members opportunities for face-to-face meetings with buyers in different cities around the state. Keep an eye out for announcements in the new year inviting you to apply for these important opportunities!
On October 28 in Houston, 44 different product members showcased and sampled their product lines to buyers, including a large grocery chain, and specialty retailers and restaurateurs. Members showed off a huge variety of products including wine, beer, spirits, coffee, tea, juice, jelly, olive oil, hot sauces, honey, jerky, chocolate, spices and popcorn. This single event resulted in additional meetings between retailers and members, and Texas products being added to retailer shelves. Congratulations to our members!
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Texas Chapter of American Marketing Association
Picks Two GO TEXAN Companies for Marketing Plan Competition
Congratulations to Old Factory Soap and Lone Star Olive Ranch, who were two of the five finalists for American Marketing Association (AMA)'s student marketing plan competition. This is an opportunity for these companies to receive formal marketing plans and marketing analysis and ideas from fresh young marketing talent from regional universities. AMA student chapters throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas will now be focusing on these two GO TEXAN members for the next few months. Other GO TEXAN members are encouraged to contact Marlene Kahla for further additional student projects beyond the Marketing Plan Competition, which would include student-written marketing plans for SFASU Management, Marketing and International Business departments courses.
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What: Dallas Temp Show
When: January 15-18
Where: Dallas
Details: Keep it local with Dallas Market Center at the Dallas Temp Show, where GO TEXAN members receive a 15-percent discount on order-writing exhibit space. Expose your product in a wholesale environment exclusively to specialty stores and shop owners by reserving a booth in the Foodie Temps section at the January show. Interested in another area to show your product? Check out all 24 categories to find the best fit for you. For more information on specialty options with deeper discounts, visit the website and leasing kit, or call Tammy Scholz at (214) 655-6139.
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What: 6th Annual Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest
When: January 17
Where: Downtown Historic Strand District, Galveston Island
Details: GO TEXAN members with craft and novelty gift items are invited to purchase booth space at the 6th Annual Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest. Event features a chili cook-off and tasting, jalapeno eating contest, washer pitching tournament, craft beer tasting with over 100 beers, vendors, live music and more. For non-food vendors, 12x12 booth spaces are $200. For food vendors, a 12x12 space is $350, plus $100 refundable clean-up deposit. There is no electricity provided and no generators allowed. Contact Elizabeth Matthews at (409) 770-0999.
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What: ZestFest 2015
When: January 23-25
Where: Irving Convention Center, Las Colinas
Details: ZestFest 2015 has booths available for GO TEXAN members to demo, sample and sell products directly to the more than 12,000 anticipated consumers, trade representatives and attending press. GO TEXAN members will receive a $100 booth discount, reducing their booth price to $795 for a 10x10 and $1,495 for a 10x20 in-line double booth. Prices include an 8-foot skirted table, two chairs, an identification sign, Health Department permits and assistance unloading and delivering product to booths. Exhibitors will also receive two tickets to the Fiery Food Challenge Awards Banquet on Friday evening. To reserve your discounted booth, contact June DeRousse at (210) 483-8987.
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What: Katy Home and Garden Show
When: January 24-25
Where: Merrell Center and Robinson Pavilion, Katy
Details: GO TEXAN food members are invited to sample and sell their product at the 9th Annual Katy Home and Garden Show. Booth spaces are discounted to $350 for an 8x10 inline booth in the Robinson Pavilion. Spaces are limited, so call show management now! Vendors are required to obtain their own health permit for the show and electricity is extra. Last year’s attendance totaled more than 7,000 visitors. This opportunity is for GO TEXAN food members only. Contact Robyn Cade at (281) 392-2177.
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What: The Chamber's 29th Annual Taste of the Town
When: January 29, 4-9 p.m.
Where: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands
Details: Sample and sell your product at The Chamber's 28th Annual Taste of the Town. Booth spaces begin at $350 (additional charge for electricity). Booth space is limited, so contact show management now! There were 6,500 visitors at last year’s event. Visitors will be able to sample regional dishes from restaurants, bakeries and caterers. This opportunity is for GO TEXAN food members only and is a great way to gain exposure for your company. Contact Carmen Smiley at (281) 363-8113.
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What: Lake Conroe Home and Garden Show
When: February 14-15
Where: Lone Star Convention Center, Conroe
Details: GO TEXAN food members are invited to sample and sell their product at the 2nd Annual Lake Conroe Home and Garden Show. Booth spaces are discounted to $500 for an 8x10 inline booth. Spaces are limited, so call show management now! Vendors are required to obtain their own health permit for the show and electricity is extra. Anticipated attendance is more than 4,000 visitors. This opportunity is for GO TEXAN food members only. Contact Robyn Cade at (281) 392-2177.
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What: Texas Birthday Bash
When: February 27-28
Where: Navasota
Details: Presented by the City of Navasota, this free celebration honors Texas Independence Day. To celebrate in true GO TEXAN style, this bash will be showcasing and selling only products made in Texas. Arts and crafts booths are $100 for a 10x10 space. Food court booths are $200 plus 10% of total sales. Applications are due February 2, so contact the event organizers right away. For information on getting a booth, visit their Facebook page or write: City of Navasota, P.O. Box 910, Navasota TX 77868.
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Members in the News
Argus Cidery was awarded in the Drinks category of the Made in the South Awards in Garden & Gun.
Congrats to all the GO TEXAN winery members who won big in the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition: Becker, Blue Lotus, Braman, Brennan, Driftwood, Fall Creek, Fiesta, Haak, Hye Meadow, Llano Estacado, Los Pinos, Messina Hof, Pedernales Cellars, Singing Water, Stray Grape, Texas Hills, Texas Legato and Wedding Oak.
Bishop Cider Co. was highlighted on Thrillist.
Cat Spring Tea was spotlighted in Texas Monthly’s “Ultimate Gift Giving Guide.”
Happy Tomato was highlighted by Lone Star Review.
Houston Dairymaids were spotlighted on Eater Houston.
Kerbey Lane and 24 Diner were high highlighted on Austin360.com.
Several GO TEXAN wineries were spotlighted in an article on YourHoustonNews.com, including Messina Hof, Haak, Pleasant Hill, Windy Hill, Bernhardt, Llano Estacado and McPherson Cellars.
Prego was recommended by Eater Houston.
Tiny Pies was highlighted in Austin Woman Magazine.
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Shine a Spotlight on Your Company
Would you like to see your GO TEXAN company featured in one of our publications (like this one)? Go here for information on how to send us your story for publication consideration.
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Spot the Mark Challenge
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Want a fun way to share the best things in Texas with the world? It’s easy!
GO TEXAN uses social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to post GO TEXAN events, share member news and increase the awareness for the wide variety of products grown or made right here in the Lone Star State.
Challenge: If you spot the GO TEXAN mark in public, let us know. Send us a picture of the GO TEXAN mark on a product, sign or printed materials and let us know where you saw it. You may send us that information by using the GO TEXAN Twitter hashtag (#GOTEXAN), so we can easily retweet your message or send us an e-mail.
And speaking of the GO TEXAN mark, as a valued member, please ensure you're using the correct GO TEXAN mark. We updated the mark to include a registration symbol (®) and all members should now be using the new mark.
If you don't have the latest version of the GO TEXAN mark, email us to get high-quality digital copies of the mark to use on your labels, merchandising materials, website and more.
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