Today, for the first time in history, a Texas Agricultural Commissioner took his oath of office at a place other than the state capitol. Amidst the sounds of 18-wheelers and mariachis and the wonderful scents of both locally grown and imported fresh produce, the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) reelected Ag Commissioner Sid Miller was sworn in at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas.
It was a tremendous honor for the produce industry and our local ag community, having Commissioner Miller sworn-in at the Pharr International Bridge today. He highlighted the economic importance of the region for its value in not just the domestic production of fresh fruits & vegetables, but also the role that fresh produce arriving from Mexico plays to the state’s economy. Commissioner Miller mentioned that the TDA office was responsible for overseeing the $6 billion agriculture industry in Texas; an economic value that exceeds the budgets of some states.
Tamaulipas Governor Cabeza de Vaca also spoke about how agriculture was vital, to both our economy and that of state’s like Tamaulipas. He thanked Commissioner Miller for the partnership and friendship between Texas and Tamaulipas, and also recognized that corridors such as the Pharr International Bridge were important to growing that relationship.
That idea is something TIPA and our members can agree with wholeheartedly. The message that the Tex-Mex corridor thrives on the partnership between the continued growth of Texas produce and the steady flow of Mexican-grown produce to keep our region an agricultural and economic hotspot.
