“I think it (village farms greenhouse) shows that agriculture is still a major player and it’s not going away, If you’ve got the best facility in the world and the most advanced, people are going to want to see it.”
- Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology Cluster businesses has long been the foundation for communities throughout the Permian Basin region. Drawing on the abundance of arable land and transportation infrastructure that can efficiently take goods to market, the region can continue to build upon the strength of its agribusiness cluster to strengthen local economies and create economic diversity.
The long growing season and the irrigated land make the area ideally suited for the growing of any number of crops. The well-suited conditions provide an excellent potential for the development of high value specialty crops in the area. More than 25 crops are produced commercially in the region. Primary crops include wheat, sorghum, corn, sugar beets, hay, soybeans, cotton and vegetables. Additional crops such as alfalfa and peppers are prevalent to the south of the region, near Fort Stockton. The “Pecos Cantaloupe” are raised in the small community of Coyanosa. Texas’s largest vineyard (Mesa Vineyard) and Belding Farms, the state's second largest pecan orchard, are located near Fort Stockton.
The fed cattle industry has served as the backbone for the development of one of the most highly productive agricultural regions in the world. The temperate climate and friendly environmental conditions had lead to a steady increase in the fed cattle industry since the industry’s initial explosion in the early 70’s. The industry serves as one of the largest employers in the region.
Technology is changing the operations of businesses throughout the cluster, from revolutionizing production and harvesting techniques, to new, innovative methods of production such as the Village Farms Greenhouse in Monahans, Economic developers and communities throughout the region must prioritize and nurture this unique regional competency as a cornerstone for diversification of the regional economy.
The industry group that comprises the cluster includes.
The long growing season and the irrigated land make the area ideally suited for the growing of any number of crops. The well-suited conditions provide an excellent potential for the development of high value specialty crops in the area. More than 25 crops are produced commercially in the region. Primary crops include wheat, sorghum, corn, sugar beets, hay, soybeans, cotton and vegetables. Additional crops such as alfalfa and peppers are prevalent to the south of the region, near Fort Stockton. The “Pecos Cantaloupe” are raised in the small community of Coyanosa. Texas’s largest vineyard (Mesa Vineyard) and Belding Farms, the state's second largest pecan orchard, are located near Fort Stockton.
The fed cattle industry has served as the backbone for the development of one of the most highly productive agricultural regions in the world. The temperate climate and friendly environmental conditions had lead to a steady increase in the fed cattle industry since the industry’s initial explosion in the early 70’s. The industry serves as one of the largest employers in the region.
Technology is changing the operations of businesses throughout the cluster, from revolutionizing production and harvesting techniques, to new, innovative methods of production such as the Village Farms Greenhouse in Monahans, Economic developers and communities throughout the region must prioritize and nurture this unique regional competency as a cornerstone for diversification of the regional economy.
The industry group that comprises the cluster includes.
Economic Impact
- 778 Establishments in the region
- 7.75 Jobs Multiplier
- 75.0% of Jobs are held by males
Industry Requirements: Industry / Amount / In-Region / Out of Region
Crop Production / $70,852,898 / 25.2% / 74.8%
Animal Production / $47,350,673 / 7.5% / 92.5%
Other Animal Food Manufacturing / $42,254,679 / 0.8% / 99.2%
Petroleum Refineries / $31,716,383 / 50.0% / 50.0%
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders / $12,203,748 / 48.0% / 52.0%
According to Texas Tech University Health Science Center's F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural Health, West Texas (proxy for the Permian Basin region) is the primary source of numerous agricultural products in Texas. The following percent of product are supplied by West Texas:
- 65.8% Cattle/Calves sold
- 67.1% Sheep/Lambs inventory
- 60.2% Corn grain (bushels)
- 85.6% Cotton, all (bales)
- 90.7% Peanuts (pounds)
- 98.0% Sunflower seeds (pounds)
- 88.4% Wheat grain (bushels)
- 66.0% Grapes, wine-producing (bearing acreage of land)
- 7.75 Jobs Multiplier
- 75.0% of Jobs are held by males
Industry Requirements: Industry / Amount / In-Region / Out of Region
Crop Production / $70,852,898 / 25.2% / 74.8%
Animal Production / $47,350,673 / 7.5% / 92.5%
Other Animal Food Manufacturing / $42,254,679 / 0.8% / 99.2%
Petroleum Refineries / $31,716,383 / 50.0% / 50.0%
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders / $12,203,748 / 48.0% / 52.0%
According to Texas Tech University Health Science Center's F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural Health, West Texas (proxy for the Permian Basin region) is the primary source of numerous agricultural products in Texas. The following percent of product are supplied by West Texas:
- 65.8% Cattle/Calves sold
- 67.1% Sheep/Lambs inventory
- 60.2% Corn grain (bushels)
- 85.6% Cotton, all (bales)
- 90.7% Peanuts (pounds)
- 98.0% Sunflower seeds (pounds)
- 88.4% Wheat grain (bushels)
- 66.0% Grapes, wine-producing (bearing acreage of land)
Employment Outlook
In 2014, the region maintained an estimated 3,575 jobs in the Agribusiness, Food Processing and Technology Cluster. While the jobs total is 38% below the national average for a typical region the size of Permian Basin and projected to decline 6.4% from 2014 to 2019, Agribusiness remains a vital component of the local economy due to the abundance of arable land and advanced transportation infrastructure. Average earnings for jobs in the cluster are approximately $38,636, 20.6% below than the national average.
Within the cluster, the occupations with the highest concentration of jobs include:
- 1,286 Farmworkers & Laborers (Crop, Nursery, & Green House)
- 191 Agricultural Equipment Operators
- 139 Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers
- 114 Farm Equipment Mechanics & Service Technicians
- 112 Farmworkers (Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals)
Within the cluster, the occupations with the highest concentration of jobs include:
- 1,286 Farmworkers & Laborers (Crop, Nursery, & Green House)
- 191 Agricultural Equipment Operators
- 139 Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers
- 114 Farm Equipment Mechanics & Service Technicians
- 112 Farmworkers (Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals)
Economic Development Catalysts
The City of Seminole, in Gaines County, has a strong agribusiness cluster presence and has developed competencies in cotton and peanut production with the presence of companies such as West Gaines Seed and Delinting (137 employees), Valley Irrigation and Pump (40 employees), and Birdsong Peanuts (20 employees)
Terrell County is home to numerous hunting services that create a unique seasonal opportunity to generate income for the County from sources outside of the region.
Terrell County is home to numerous hunting services that create a unique seasonal opportunity to generate income for the County from sources outside of the region.
Village Farms International opened a hydroponic greenhouse in Monahans in 2012, bringing with it the potential for 400 jobs and the proprietary Greenhouse Advanced Technology Environmental System (GATES). The development is important as an employment base for the community, but also expands on a regional agribusiness competency that can be leveraged for future cluster growth.
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