The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Harvest Luncheon on Thursday, October 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Learning Center. The event, presented by FiberMax‑BASF, will feature Tom Sell as the featured speaker.
Local Roots, National Experience
Sell is a fifth‑generation West Texan, a Texas Tech University graduate with a B.S. in Agribusiness and a law degree, and a longtime champion for agriculture. After college he worked for former Congressman Larry Combest, who chaired the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and helped shape key legislation such as the 2002 Farm Bill and the Crop Insurance Reform Act of 2000.
Following his time in Washington, Sell returned to Lubbox and co‑founded a consulting firm with Combest that advocates for producers and rural communities across the Southern High Plains.
Why the Harvest Luncheon Matters
“Agriculture is the backbone of this community,” said Kerry King of FiberMax‑BASF, noting that gatherings like the Harvest Luncheon provide both education and fellowship for those who live and work on the land. The event offers local farmers, ranchers, students, and business leaders a chance to hear directly from someone who has navigated both the local fields and the federal policy arena.
Sell is expected to address the challenges and opportunities facing West Texas agriculture, from water management and market access to emerging technologies and workforce development. He will also highlight the role of Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agriculture, where he and his wife, Kyla, mentor students.
How to Attend
Tickets are $65 for Chamber members and $85 for non‑members. Tables for eight are available for $500, and sponsorship opportunities are also offered. The deadline for purchasing tickets, tables, and sponsorships is October 7 via the Lubbock Chamber’s Harvest Luncheon webpage.
In a region where the success of the fields directly impacts the prosperity of the town, the conversation about the future of West Texas agriculture is essentially a conversation about the future of Lubbock itself.
Original reporting: News/Talk 790 KFYO (Lubbock) — read the source article.
