LUBBOCK In response to the recent wildfire outbreak that impacted much of the Lone Star State, several Farm Credit organizations have joined forces to contribute to the extensive recovery and relief efforts, a press release detailed.
AgTexas Farm Credit, Capital Farm Credit, Central Texas Farm Credit, CoBank, Farm Credit Bank of Texas, Heritage Land Bank, Lone Star Ag Credit, Plains Land Bank and Texas Farm Credit have pledged a combined total of $162,500 to support rural fire departments across the state, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Disaster Relief Fund.
The fires have impacted so many across the state, but the agricultural producers in the Central Texas and Panhandle areas have been especially hard hit, the press release stated. More than 125,000 acres have burned since the outbreak began on March 15, human life has been lost, property and livelihoods were changed in an instant, and livestock death tolls have been catastrophic.
“Since 1916, Farm Credit has had the privilege of supporting rural communities and agriculture during times of plenty and extreme adversity, alike. Despite the resiliency of the Lone Star State and its residents, it is important that producers know and feel that Farm Credit is here to support them, today and tomorrow,” Tim McDonald, chief executive officer of AgTexas Farm Credit, stated in the press release.
“Our hearts go out to the residents impacted by the Texas wildfires,” McDonald added in the press release. “The donation to the rural volunteer fire departments will help them to retool and prepare for the rest of the season, and it will also make resources available to farmers and ranchers, through the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund, who need feed and supplies to support their operations.”