Texas joined FieldWatch as the 27th state member in January 2025, marking a major step forward in supporting ag communication and stewardship activities across the state. With over half a million organic acres and multiple apiaries in Texas, swift adoption by growers and beekeepers demonstrates strong engagement and collaboration from the agricultural community.
Positive Results Straight from the Texas Department of Ag
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (pictured to the left, courtesy of Texas Department of Agriculture) is proud to partner with FieldWatch to bring this innovative technology to Texas farmers, producers and beekeepers. Commissioner Miller announced Texas as a state member of the non-profit company, saying, “This tool helps protect livelihoods, promotes responsible pesticide use and strengthens Texas agriculture.”
Texas boasts over half a million acres dedicated to organic farming, accompanied by numerous apiaries scattered throughout the state. Additionally, many growers of sensitive crops, such as Texas wine grapes, acknowledge the importance of a program like this to mitigate potential chemical risks. Currently, teams from all sectors of the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Apiary Inspection Service and the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service are actively promoting the initiative.
In less than six months, close to 70 locations (mapped sites) have been added to the public registry, and there is increasing interest from producers in various agricultural fields. Since this partnership was established, the department has received an abundance of positive feedback from local industry representatives. The Texas Department of Agriculture looks forward to witnessing the continued development of this program and its benefits for producers statewide.
How to Map Your Sites in FieldWatch
If you are a grower or beekeeper in Texas, now is the time to register your sites with FieldWatch’s free, easy-to-use tool. Bob Whitney, Regents Fellow & Extension Organic Program Specialist at Texas A&M Extension Service, serves as Texas’ data steward and has created a guide with step-by-step instructions to get started.
Visit the registry page for DriftWatch or BeeCheck to create your account, or view Whitney’s detailed guide on the AgriLife Extension site. As more sites are mapped within FieldWatch, the agricultural network grows stronger, safer and more collaborative throughout the entire state.
Please note: If you’re an applicator in Texas, visit FieldCheck to sign up for a free account, so you can check registered sites before you spray.
