Our final stop took us to the Texas Department of Agriculture where we met with various members of TDA and Texas Animal Health Comission. Thanks to Sarah Riggins for getting this group of industry professionals together! Sarah is the state marketing coordinator for food for the Go Texan program through TDA. Also present were the Director of Government Affairs for TDA, The Advisor for Policy and Special Projects from TDA, The Deputy Assistant Comissioner for Pesticide Programs, and the Director of Public Information from the Texas Animal Health Commission. What a FANTASTIC group to work with and learn from!

All in all, our kids did a great job explaining the issue of food safety legislation and learned copious amounts from all the industry and political professionals we met with throughout the year and today. Additionally, they represented Bridgeport extremely well in Austin. Only a little time left for a few parting pictures and then we hit the road for Huntsville!

Tomorrow we will speak in the semi-finals. If we are in the top 5, we will advance to the finals! Thanks to everyone around the country, state, and back home in Bridgeport and Wise county for your support. We will keep you updated on our progress!

Our next stop took us to Kay Bailey Hutchison's Office where we met with John Etue, the Regional Director for Central Texas. Our students were given a special treat when they were invited to present in Lyndon B. Johnson's Dallas Office Apartment. Original furniture, carpet, and fixtures were present as was the table where many "insider" meetings took place with the President. The apartment was complete with bullet proof glass and a steel bomb shelter vault. Additionally, there was a place in the restroom where an aid would sit to take notes while the president was otherwise disposed! What a great presentation!

Pictures below are of LBJ and other "insiders" meeting in the same room where we presented! At the same table! In the same chairs!

Next we traveled to the Capitol where we met with Ren Nance. She is the director of Agriculture and Rural Development for Senator Craig Estes.

Senetor Estes is the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee for the Texas Senate!

Bridgeport FFA Ag Issues Team made their first presentation today to a group of industry professionals from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Thank you to Susan Tennyson for putting together a very knowledgeable group of EXPERTS in the area of food safety and food recalls. This organization mandates recalls for companies in the state of Texas. Many of the reacalls we address in our presentation were actually conducted by this agency! They were full of great information and questions for our students!