HOUSTON, TX – The International Trade Center (ITC) in Alief welcomed Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller for an exclusive meeting with ITC Chairman Wae Lee and the center’s elite members. The gathering provided a rare opportunity for local business leaders to hear directly from the Commissioner about the Texas Department of Agriculture’s broad responsibilities, its $7 billion operating budget, and the unique programs designed to promote Texas agriculture and small businesses both locally and internationally.
A CEO Approach to State Government
Commissioner Miller began his remarks by underscoring his approach to running the department. Rather than viewing himself as a bureaucrat, he emphasized his background as a businessman and entrepreneur. “We try to run this seven billion dollar agency not like a bureaucracy but like a Fortune 100 company,” he said. “Our focus is on finding solutions and creating opportunities for Texans, not on adding red tape.”
The Commissioner highlighted that Texas agriculture is more than just farming and ranching. It is an industry that touches food production, international trade, biosecurity, and even rural healthcare. By running the department with an entrepreneurial mindset, Miller said, the goal is to help Texas producers compete on both the national and global stage.
Promoting Texas Products through Go Texan
A large portion of the discussion centered on the Go Texan Program, which has become a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes across the state. Go Texan was created to help small, family-owned companies gain visibility in crowded markets. Over time, it has grown into a brand recognized at grocery chains, state fairs, and even at sporting events.
The program connects local producers with major outlets, including H-E-B, Kroger, and Brookshire’s, as well as online platforms such as Amazon. Every year, H-E-B hosts the “Quest for the Best” competition in which Go Texan members compete for cash prizes and, more importantly, premium shelf space in one of the state’s most successful supermarket chains.
“We are here to help mom-and-pop businesses that make great products but do not have the experience or resources to market them,” Miller explained. “Whether it is beef jerky, jelly, tortillas, or wine, our job is to make sure Texas products have a chance to succeed.”
The department also utilizes television, radio, and social media to increase members’ visibility. The long-running TV program Texas Agriculture Matters has recently been rebranded as Texas Our Texas, with the help of Bob and Kelly Phillips, who are well-known for their work on Texas Country Reporter. The program now airs nationwide on RFD-TV, reaching more than 60 million homes.
Miller also hosts two radio shows on SiriusXM and provides a daily agricultural market update that goes out to 140 stations across the state. On social media, the combined following of Miller and the TDA’s pages reaches nearly 1.5 million people.
Events remain central to the program as well. The Go Texan Pavilion at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas attracts thousands of visitors every year. At the same time, a new event, the Go Texan Crossroads Country Fair in Waxahachie, is set to become the largest one-day fair in the state.
Facing Major Challenges
Commissioner Miller also spoke candidly about the challenges the department faces. Among the most pressing issues is rural healthcare. The TDA oversees the Office of Rural Health, which is responsible for maintaining hospital operations in 191 rural counties. Many of these areas face shrinking populations, high rates of uninsured residents, and difficulty recruiting doctors and nurses.
Another challenge is biosecurity. Texas operates roadside inspection stations where trucks are checked for invasive pests, diseases, and other threats that could devastate the agriculture industry. Currently, the state is combating citrus canker in Southeast Texas, avian flu, swine flu, and the New World Screwworm.
“Sometimes that means having to go into people’s yards and remove infected trees,” Miller said. “It is never easy, but protecting our state’s agriculture is critical for everyone.”
He recalled the unique problems faced during the COVID-19 pandemic when toilet paper disappeared from store shelves. Inspectors discovered warehouses full of supplies that could not be sold in Texas because the instructions were printed only in Spanish. Miller moved quickly to secure a waiver, and within 48 hours, the products were on store shelves across the state.
Partnership with the International Trade Center
The highlight of the meeting was the announcement of a new partnership between the TDA and the ITC. Commissioner Miller revealed that the department will soon open a Go Texan office inside the International Trade Center in Alief.
“This will make it easier for businesses right here in Houston’s international community to connect with the programs and resources we offer,” Miller said. “Instead of coming to Austin, you will be able to come right here to Alief and get the same support.”
Chairman Wae Lee welcomed the partnership, noting that the timing was significant as the Southern News Group, which publishes the Houston Chinese Yellow Pages, was celebrating its 45th anniversary. Commissioner Miller presented certificates of recognition to honor both the anniversary and ITC’s new status as a Champion Member of the Go Texan family, which is the program’s highest level of membership.
The ceremony also underscored the ITC’s mission of connecting local entrepreneurs to global opportunities. Elite members in attendance had the chance to ask the Commissioner questions about trade, supply chains, and access to grants. Miller encouraged everyone to visit the department’s website, TexasAgriculture.gov, to explore grant opportunities, small business loans, and other programs designed to support Texas producers.
Looking Ahead
The meeting between Commissioner Miller and ITC members highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing Texas agriculture today. From ensuring rural hospitals remain open to promoting local products on the shelves of national retailers, the Texas Department of Agriculture is deeply involved in the lives of Texans.
For ITC members, the new Go Texan office in Alief signals an even closer connection between state resources and local businesses. The partnership promises to create more opportunities for small businesses, farmers, and international traders who call Houston home.
“Texas agriculture matters because Texas matters,” Miller concluded. “When government, business, and community come together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”