The temperature is rising. The days are getting longer. The Fourth of July is right around the corner.

This time of year, there are plenty of ways to celebrate not only our country’s independence, but also our great state.

You can visit one of our many state parks, a local lake or, my personal favorite, cook out with family and friends.

Hard-working Texans ensure we can choose from the freshest beef, poultry, pork and seafood to pair with our favorite fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Everyone–from farmers, ranchers, harvesters, truck drivers to the local grocery store–works to ensure we have the best this state has to offer.

From the Gulf of Mexico to El Paso, and everywhere in between, the abundance of Texas agriculture screams “freedom.”

Our hardworking farmers and ranchers put in long, hard days year-round to ensure we have whatever types of foods we want–whether it be organic or traditionally raised.

They choose what they want to grow and how they want to grow it. They choose what is best for their families and ours.

They give us additional choices.

And our military ensures we have the freedom to enjoy it.

To me, that’s something to celebrate.