Commissioner Miller calls on quilters to enter 2024 “Texas Agriculture Matters” theme.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are thrilled to announce the unveiling of the 2024 Quilt Block Competition. This year’s theme, “Texas Agriculture Matters,” celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of the Lone Star State.
Quilters from across the state are invited to join this exciting creative initiative to celebrate agriculture’s vital role in our state. Participating quilters are asked to submit block patterns that draw inspiration from the diverse aspects of agriculture production in Texas, including crops, livestock, rural landscapes, and the hardworking individuals contributing to the state’s agricultural prosperity.
“This year’s theme is especially meaningful to me,” Commissioner Miller said. “For as long as I have been Texas Agriculture Commissioner, I have vowed to educate the public on why ‘Texas Agriculture Matters.’ It matters in every day of your life, from the food on your plate to the clothes on your back.”
Texas pride runs deep, especially along the more than 360 miles that make up the state’s coastline. In 2014, the Texas Department of Agriculture shined the spotlight on the Texas Gulf Coast as the theme for the 2014 Quilt Block Competition. The Gifts of the Gulf Quilt was unveiled at the Food & Fiber Pavilion on September 26, 2014, and has now joined the traveling quilt collection that visits fairs, festivals and museums all over the state.
As in previous years, participating quilters will create patterns from a selection of natural fibers provided by TDA and the participant will provide any additional cotton fabrics. Quilters are welcome to include one special piece of cotton fabric that personally represents family, history, or heritage in conjunction with the theme, Texas Agriculture Matters.
Once all the entries have been collected, a panel of independent judges will select the top blocks. These blocks will be pieced together into a quilt and revealed this fall for the 50th Anniversary of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Ceremony at the Texas Capitol in Austin. The Family Land Heritage Ceremony honors Texas farmers and ranchers who have owned and run an agricultural operation for 100 years or more.
“Every two years, we host this competition, and every year, the designs get better and better,” Miller said. “It is an honor to showcase the artistic talents of our Texas quilters while emphasizing the significance of agriculture in Texas.”
The Texas Agriculture Matters Quilt Block Competition is an opportunity for the community to come together, showcase their appreciation of agriculture, and offer a platform for artists to express their creativity and passion for Texas farming and ranching.
For more information, including competition rules and updates, please visit https://gotexan.org/
If your block is selected, you will be embroidered in Texas quilting history.
