The Texas Farm Bureau’s Web site at www.BeAgSmart.org has information on the state’s commodities for producers, and adults and children with no firsthand knowledge of farming or ranching.

The goal of the site is to demonstrate agriculture’s impact on people’s daily lives, according to Kara Kelton, Farm Bureau director of urban relations.

It is coordinated with other educational programs by the Waco-based bureau.

“Be Ag Smart is unique because of the scope and centralized location for such a large amount of credible information,” Kelton said in a news release.

The Web site gives information on a wide range of commodities — from cotton to cattle. Graphics detail production data, including top producing counties in the state.

It is categorized by commodity. A section on cotton, for example, covers everything from the invention of the cotton gin to the use of cotton in fashion.

The section on dairy shows consumers how milk gets from the cow to the dining table, along with many other related topics.

“It’s important to Texas farmers and ranchers for students, teachers and others to understand that agriculture touches everyone, every day,” said Kenneth Dierschke, Texas Farm Bureau president.

The site shares the same information as Planet Agriculture, the bureau’s educational exhibit displayed at fairs and stock shows across the state, including the Heart O’ Texas Fair in Waco.

The exhibit is an interactive learning experience that incorporates every area of agriculture. The Web site has exhibit venues and dates.

“We work very hard to present the information in an interesting way to people who may not be directly involved in agricultural production,” Kelton said. “Engaging the public is vital to the future of the industry.”

Another program, Agriculture in the Classroom, has resources elementary teachers can use to incorporate agricultural information into curriculum.

“It’s important for students, even as young as elementary age, to learn about the agricultural process,” said Tad Duncan, TFB director of agricultural education. “One in five people have an occupation associated with agriculture.”

Duncan coordinates the Summer Agricultural Institute at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

The week-long class gives teachers in grades K-6 activities and ideas to bring agriculture back to classrooms.

Participants receive three hours of graduate credit and 45 hours of professional development credit.