Need to Strengthen Red-Grapefruit Industry in Texas

One of my favorite statistics about Texas is the total number of acres of cropland devoted to commercial grapefruit production in the Lone Star State.

Unfortunately, I do not currently know that statistic. However, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to obtain an estimate on how many total acres of cropland or farmland in Texas are, in fact, devoted to grapefruit production.

I would particularly like to learn the statistic on the total number of acres of farmland in Texas where Rio Red and Ruby Red grapefruits are being raised commercially.

Also, how does that statistic compare with five years ago, 10 years ago, or 20 years ago?
Is there evidence that urban sprawl in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas is posing a threat to the grapefruit-growing industry in that region of our state?

Whenever I drink the delicious and vitamin-rich red-grapefruit juice produced in Texas, I find myself wondering why the Texas Legislature apparently has not pursued additional public-policy actions to adequately protect and strengthen what is clearly one of our finest agricultural industries in all of Texas.

At the very least, I am hopeful that the 2009 Texas Legislature will hold "Ruby Red Grapefruit Hearings."

At those hearings, Legislators can diligently explore current and expected threats to the Ruby-Red Grapefruit and Rio-Red Grapefruit Industry in Texas. That information will enable Legislators in Austin to develop new legislation to protect and strengthen that vital and healthful industry for our state.