Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization, represents the interests of agricultural producers and rural communities across Texas as the "Voice of Texas Agriculture." Texas Farm Bureau's grassroots structure begins in local communities across the state of Texas. The non-profit organization’s direction and decision making are dictated by its members.
Farm Bureau supports farmers and ranchers and advocates for a safe and affordable American food supply. Members create and shape the organization’s position on policy, and organization leadership works to implement the policy to benefit Texas agriculture.
Texas leads the nation in cattle, cotton, sheep and wool, goats and mohair and hay production. The Lone Star State also has the most farms and ranches and the highest value of farm real estate in the United States. A total of 130,400,000 acres (528,000 km2) in Texas are occupied by the state's 247,500 farms and ranches.
Texas agriculture yields $19.8 billion annually in cash receipts. The most profitable crops include: cattle, cotton, milk, broilers (poultry), greenhouse and nursery, corn, wheat, timber, grain sorghum and vegetables. The agriculture industry in Texas nets approximately $100 billion in economic value for the state.
The agriculture industry is evolving rapidly to keep up with an expanding global population. Farmers and ranchers have adopted technologies to improve their efficiency and produce more food on the same amount of land. In 1940, the American farmer produced enough food to feed 19 people each year. Seven decades later, in 2010, the American farmer fed 155 people annually.
Texas Farm Bureau consists of 206 independent, self-governed county Farm Bureaus. Each county Farm Bureau elects its own board of directors and officers. Texas Farm Bureau members are not required to be agricultural producers. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting Texas’ rural communities and agricultural operations. Farm Bureau members pay annual dues, which cover a variety of member services and benefits.
County Farm Bureaus are organized into 13 districts across Texas. Each district elects a district director, who serves on the board of the state organization. State directors may be elected to a maximum of three two-year terms.
At the state level, members elect a president each year at the organization's annual meeting. The president serves on the state board of directors and guides volunteer leadership. Texas Farm Bureau also is led by an executive director, who is employed by the organization to oversee the daily operations of Texas Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. Historically, both the president and executive director have had extensive experience in the agricultural industry.
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