Panhandle wildfire fund distributes more than $1.8 million to farmers and ranchers
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said the size and scope of the early spring Panhandle wildfires were unprecedented.
But thanks to nearly 2,000 generous donations to the Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund, some affected producers are on their way to being whole again.
“Farm Bureau members, organizations and others from across the state and nation called in asking how they could help,” Boening said in a news release. “While this aid cannot replace everything that was lost, we hope it truly helps in the recovery of those still reeling from the disaster.”
More than 1.2 million acres were torched in the Texas panhandle, during late February and early March. The relief funds provide assistance for unreimbursed losses of livestock, feed, fences, equipment and the cost of temporary pastures.
TFB’s nonprofit Agriculture Research and Education Foundation helped establish the relief fund, and farmers and ranchers were encouraged to apply for assistance with unreimbursed agricultural losses.
“We cannot say thank you enough for the generous contributions sent in to help our fellow Texans,” Boening said. “Farm Bureau members and the larger agricultural community have always stepped up to help their neighbors in need, and this wildfire relief fund collected tax-deductible donations to meet the needs in affected areas.”
According to the news release, group of volunteer leaders selected by the TFB board of directors determined the allotment of aid. TFB and non-TFB members received funding for unreimbursed expenses related to the wildfires.
“Farming and ranching is an expensive business,” Boening said. “We hope with this support, those impacted can continue to rebuild and recover from the wildfires that devastated such a large area of the Texas Panhandle.”
For more information about the relief from TFB, visit texasfarmbureau.org/panhandle-wildfire-relief-fund/.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
