'We can turn West Texas into the Garden of Eden': Nate Sheets promises on Voz News to lower taxes for farmers and make it easier for them to do business

Republican candidate Nate Sheets for Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner defended the need to reduce producers' costs, strengthen the local food market, and ensure water supply in an interview with Voz News. Sheets also highlighted the importance of food security, hiring farmworkers, and his commitment to public service, inspired by his Christian faith.

"Since 2018, we've been losing 68 farms every week in Texas. A thousand acres a day are being taken out of agricultural production," Sheets warned as he described the challenges facing the sector. According to the candidate, farmers and ranchers are struggling to keep their businesses afloat due to economic conditions and corporate mergers. "If you think a country needs to feed itself, or if it depends on other countries to survive, it's not really a free country," he stated. He also linked American eating habits to a "pandemic of chronic diseases" and advocated producing "healthy, safe, and nutritious" food.

In his initial proposals, Sheets proposed reducing the fees producers pay, after denouncing the outgoing administration for increasing them by $26 million. "We're going to lower the fees and make it easier for producers to do business without ever jeopardizing food safety. That is sacred," he asserted. He also proposed revitalizing the Go Texan program through a platform that directly connects producers and consumers. "If a producer sells directly to a consumer, they can charge a slightly higher price. If a consumer buys from the producer, they can get it for a slightly lower price," he explained.

Regarding the water crisis, Sheets noted that needs vary by region, ranging from conflicts over dam construction and groundwater extraction to Mexico's failure to comply with the water treaty. He also advocated for investing in technologies to treat water from the oil industry in the Permian Basin. "If we can do that, we can turn West Texas into the Garden of Eden," he said.

On labor issues, the candidate supported expanding opportunities for seasonal agricultural workers through the H-2A program, which he said benefits his beekeeping business. He also highlighted his missionary experience: "In 1997, I went on a missionary trip to Venezuela that completely changed my life." After dedicating years to Christian ministry and traveling to 88 countries, he said he now seeks to bring that calling to government: "I have the same desire—to serve the kingdom of God and use the platform we have within the government to make a difference in the lives of others."

You can watch the full interview by clicking on the video below.