Industry Partners:
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is here to support the horticulture, produce and forestry industries as they work to build a future for Texas agriculture. As changes in these industries occur and important information becomes available, we will keep you posted through regular e-mail updates.
Horticulture News
TDA is revising its Pick-Your-Own and Certified Texas Farmers Market guide. This guide informs the public about where to go to find the freshest Texas produce. It will be distributed at various consumer events and Texas tourism bureaus. A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) section will also be added to this brochure. If you have a Pick-Your-Own farm, CSA or a farmers market, send an e-mail to grow.texan@agr.state.tx.us and we will send you an information packet.
Organics continues to be a growing industry in Texas. TDA participated in the Texas Organic Conference on Jan. 24 in Mesquite, Texas, and discussed the organic certification process and the many marketing opportunities available to small producers through the GO TEXAN program. If you would like to learn more about the organic industry or are interested in organic certification send an e-mail to grow.texan@agr.state.tx.us.
How to Make GO TEXAN Work For You
Over the past several months I have been providing tips on how to make the most of your GO TEXAN membership. Like any program or project, your return is based on how much you invest in it. I have discussed the importance of using the GO TEXAN logos, keeping your GO TEXAN contact information current, working with your TDA marketing specialists, reading your GO TEXAN Infoletter, taking the time to complete GO TEXAN surveys and contacting us when you would like to see GO TEXAN participate at a particular event with signage or a booth or advertise in a specific publication. In this issue I would like to stress the importance of partnering with each other! We are currently about 1,500 members strong and growing. Spread the word. The more GO TEXAN members we have, the more power we bring to the table when negotiating discounted rates, special deals or media exposure. The more businesses using the logo, the greater the impact. Most important, many members make excellent suppliers to other GO TEXAN members. If you have a question on the many opportunities available to you through GO TEXAN, send an e-mail to grow.texan@agr.state.tx.us. To download a GO TEXAN application go here.
Available Online
Below you will find a listing of the TDA materials available to producers and consumers at www.gotexan.org. These materials are available in pdf format for you to download.
1. Cut Flower Manual - An introductory growing guide for producers.
2. Texas Organic Guide - An introductory growing guide for producers.
3. Southwest Desert and Native Plant Manual - An introductory growing guide for producers.
4. Starting a Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm - An introductory growing guide for producers.
5. Texas Olive Growing Manual - An introductory growing guide for producers.
6. Starting a Vineyard - An introductory growing guide for producers.
7. Texas Horticulture Directory - A list of GO TEXAN suppliers of Texas plants designed for buyers.
Consumer brochures are available for you to download and distribute to your customers.
1. GO TEXAN Herbs: The Very Zest of Texas -- Enjoy Texas-grown herbs with this new brochure packed with details on the top herbs of Texas, selection and handling tips, delicious recipes and direct links to Texas herb producers .
2. Protecting Your Landscape: A Handy List of Deer-Resistant Plants - This guide is designed to help identify plants that may make a difference in protecting your landscape from grazing deer.
3. Floral Information Cards: GO TEXAN floral information cards provide care tips for GO TEXAN Cut Flowers, Easter Lilies, Mums and Poinsettias.
If you have any questions on any topic in this e-mail please contact me at grow.texan@agr.state.tx.us.
Richard De Los Santos
Texas Department of Agriculture
State Coordinator for Horticulture, Produce and Forestry Marketing
