AUSTIN — As the agriculture industry takes center stage during National Agriculture Week, March 14-20, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples asks Texans to join him in honoring the state’s hardworking farmers and ranchers for making Texas a powerhouse of productivity.

“Our producers are responsible for the most abundant, most affordable and safest food supply in the world,” Commissioner Staples said. “The Texas agriculture industry employs one in seven working Texans and brings more than $100 billion a year to the economy of our great state. I ask all Texans to take time, especially on March 20 - National Agriculture Day - to celebrate and thank our farmers and ranchers by buying Texas-grown and raised products, and choosing those with the GO TEXAN brand.”

American farmers are more productive and efficient than ever before. According to the Texas Farm Bureau, each producer today feeds 155 people in the U.S. and abroad. In Texas, about 1.8 million people work in agriculture-related jobs, ranging from journalism and advertising to commodity trading.

“Many of us take our readily accessible and safe food supply for granted, which is a testament to the high standards and strong work ethic of those who work in our agriculture industry,” Commissioner Staples said. “National Ag Week is an occasion to recognize those who contribute so much to the health, well-being and prosperity of this country.”

For a list of local farmers markets, Texas products and information about the GO TEXAN Program, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture Web site at www.TexasAgriculture.gov.