{"id":76210,"date":"2025-12-04T19:46:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T19:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/76210\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T19:46:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T19:46:11","slug":"texas-am-establishes-statewide-horticultural-advisory-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/76210\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas A&#038;M establishes statewide horticultural advisory council"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/hortsciences.tamu.edu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Texas A&amp;M Department of Horticultural Sciences<\/a> has announced establishment of the Texas Horticulture Industry Advisory Council \u2014 a coalition of leaders representing one of the state\u2019s most diverse and economically significant sectors.<\/p>\n<p>The council brings together voices from across Texas\u2019 $70 billion horticulture industry. This includes the green industry \u2013 nursery and landscape plants; Christmas trees; ornamentals \u2013 floral producers; pecan and olive growers; and potato producers. Additionally, council members represent the wine industry, fruit and vegetable producers, and the rapidly expanding controlled-environment horticulture sector.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hortsciences.tamu.edu\/about-us\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amit Dhingra, Ph.D.<\/a>, head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, said the council is designed to ensure academic expertise and research priorities remain closely aligned with real-world industry needs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis council is a reflection of how vital horticulture is to Texas\u2019 economy and quality of life,\u201d Dhingra said. \u201cBy bringing together the state\u2019s horticultural leaders, we\u2019re aligning our academic expertise with the needs of industry to fuel innovation and long-term success through mission-aligned student training.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The council held its inaugural meeting on Nov. 21.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20240118_Little_Bear_Produce_065.jpg\" data-slb-active=\"1\" data-slb-asset=\"754375579\" data-slb-group=\"362764\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"338485\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20240118_Little_Bear_Produce_065.jpg\" alt=\"A table filled with fresh produce - greens, cabbage, carrots and beets among others. \" class=\"wp-image-338485 lazyload\"  data- style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/800;\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20240118_Citrus_005.jpg\" data-slb-active=\"1\" data-slb-asset=\"1513319887\" data-slb-group=\"362764\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"361912\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20240118_Citrus_005.jpg\" alt=\"An ripening orange hangs from a tree in an orchard row.\" class=\"wp-image-361912 lazyload\"  data- style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/400;\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20240422_Tot_Uvalde_SC_612.jpg\" data-slb-active=\"1\" data-slb-asset=\"511209437\" data-slb-group=\"362764\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"362765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20240422_Tot_Uvalde_SC_612.jpg\" alt=\"Rows of tomato plants in the background with a planter tower with sprouting greens all inside a greenhouse. \" class=\"wp-image-362765 lazyload\"  data- style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/400;\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20250414_Overton_MM_299.jpg\" data-slb-active=\"1\" data-slb-asset=\"1353813632\" data-slb-group=\"362764\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"355524\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20250414_Overton_MM_299.jpg\" alt=\"A variety of landscape starter plants. \" class=\"wp-image-355524 lazyload\"  data- style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/400;\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20230710_Wine_Grape_Harvest_SC_092.jpg\" data-slb-active=\"1\" data-slb-asset=\"2012743554\" data-slb-group=\"362764\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"318939\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20230710_Wine_Grape_Harvest_SC_092.jpg\" alt=\"Cluster of wine grapes on vines in the foreground with a tractor in the aisle between vines.  \" class=\"wp-image-318939 lazyload\"  data- style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/400;\"\/><\/a><br \/>\nHorticulture in Texas is represented by a broad spectrum of dynamic industries from fresh produce, fruit and nuts to wine, landscape ornamentals and trees. The advisory council brings together industry representatives to align Department of Horticultural Sciences priorities that address challenges and meet producers\u2019 strategic goals. (Michael Miller, Sam Craft\/Texas A&amp;M AgriLife)<\/p>\n<p>Charting the future of Texas horticulture<\/p>\n<p>The council will collaborate with the department to develop a Texas Horticulture Technology Roadmap \u2014 a comprehensive strategy identifying opportunities, challenges and research priorities for the future of Texas horticulture. The roadmap will serve as a foundation for policy guidance, curriculum updates, workforce initiatives and funding strategies across various industry sectors.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond strategic planning, the council will provide guidance on student recruitment, curriculum development, scholarships and internship partnerships to strengthen the next generation of horticultural professionals. Members will advise on capacity-building needs and support the department\u2019s development and philanthropic efforts to strengthen facilities and infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHorticulture touches every corner of Texas, and the insight this group brings will help amplify the impact of our teaching, research and extension efforts,\u201d said\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/agrilife.tamu.edu\/about\/leadership\/vcdean\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jeffrey W. Savell. Ph.D.<\/a>, vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. \u201cWhen we align our strengths with the needs of industry, we open the door for innovation that benefits Texans today and builds a stronger workforce for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A working council with a tangible impact<\/p>\n<p>Council membership includes executive directors, current and incoming presidents of commodity organizations, and representatives from the <a href=\"https:\/\/texasagriculture.gov\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Department of Agriculture<\/a>. The group will meet twice a year \u2014 each fall and spring \u2014 to evaluate progress and identify new action items.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith this advisory council, we\u2019re building a framework that\u2019s responsive and forward-looking,\u201d Dhingra said. \u201cTogether, we represent a force to be reckoned with \u2014 an engine that powers the state\u2019s economy and contributes to sustainability, wellness and food security for Texans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>                    <a href=\"#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &amp; Email\"><br \/>\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pf-button-img lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/printfriendly-pdf-button.png\" alt=\"Print Friendly, PDF &amp; Email\" style=\"width: 112px;height: 24px;\"\/><br \/>\n                    <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Texas A&amp;M Department of Horticultural Sciences has announced establishment of the Texas Horticulture Industry Advisory Council \u2014&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":76211,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[30371,37547,924,27,29,28,9010,6431,37548,75],"class_list":["post-76210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-texas","tag-citrus","tag-controlled-environment-agriculture","tag-gardening-and-landscaping","tag-texas","tag-texas-headlines","tag-texas-news","tag-trees","tag-unit-featured","tag-vegetables","tag-wine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76210"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76210\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}