Front Row Left to Right: Cotton Day participants Wesley Butchee, Stacy Smith, Scott Harmon, and Craig Heinrich. Back Row: James Brown and Al Spinks.

More than 50 cotton industry representatives walked the halls of the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, to discuss the importance of cotton at the 2007 Cotton Day at the Capitol on March 6, 2007. The event is sponsored by Texas Cotton Producers, a statewide organization comprised of nine regional organizations actively representing cotton growers in different areas. Attendees included cotton producers, ginners, and allied industry representatives from across the Lone Star State.

The event provides an opportunity for cotton industry representatives to meet with each legislator to discuss the important role cotton plays in the Texas economy. Cotton Day also serves as an educational opportunity to acquaint those unfamiliar with cotton about its economic impact, its many uses, and the broad range of industries affected by the state’s top agricultural commodity. This year, highlighting the issues being communicated to Texas legislators was the importance of maintaining the highly successful partnership between the state and Texas cotton growers in the effort to complete boll weevil eradication activities in Texas.

“As farmers, we can make an impression from a distance, but to truly influence the thoughts and decisions of our representatives it’s important to meet with them face to face in order to make a lasting impact,” explained Al Spinks, a Midland, Texas, cotton producer and first-time Cotton Day participant. “We depend on our state for assistance with boll weevil eradication, research, and extension services among many other things. Therefore, it’s important to keep our relationship with legislators strong,” he concluded.