Arrington Speaks at Signing Ceremony for Cotton Classing Agreement between Texas Tech and USDA

LUBBOCK –  Yesterday, Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) joined members of the Texas Tech community, including Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, President Lawrence Schovanec,  as well as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach, and fellow West Texan and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11), to speak at a signing ceremony for a cotton classing agreement between Texas Tech University and the USDA. Under the agreement, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cotton and Tobacco Program (C&T), will build and operate a brand new cotton classing facility on the campus of Texas Tech. Cotton classing offices measure the physical attributes of raw cotton to determine its quality so the cotton can then be marketed by producers.  

“This partnership is going to be a boon not only to the University, but to operations of cotton producers in West Texas who have access to the best labor in the country in the Texas Tech students, and the best information from the great research faculty. The ecosystem between industry, USDA, policymakers, along with Texas Tech University will continue to enhance West Texas as the leader in all things agriculture.”  said Arrington.

“Today’s agreement makes me very proud, not only as a Texas Tech grad, but also as a someone who spent several years in administration here. Thank you, Under Secretary Ibach, for your foresight, leadership, and partnership, and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Congressman Jodey Arrington is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the Nineteenth Congressional District of Texas. He serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.