Farmers, ranchers establish policy goals during 91st annual meeting

(ROUND ROCK, Texas)—Texas farmers and ranchers established policy to help guide the agricultural advocacy efforts of Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization.

Policies regarding feral hogs, water and foreign ownership of agricultural land were among those approved by the nearly 1,000 voting delegates gathered at the organization’s 91st annual meeting business session Dec. 8 in Round Rock.

“Farmers and ranchers discuss issues and set our policy goals for our organization for the coming year during the business session,” TFB President Russell Boening said.

State issues
The voting delegates issued support for several resolutions related to controlling feral hogs, including passing policy that incentivizes an assessment program per head of wild hogs captured, transferred, sold or slaughtered at an approved facility. A general revenue dedicated account to hold all assessments for distribution to approved programs would be created by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Depredation management regarding mountain lions and other predatory animals received support. Voting delegates passed policy that opposes mandatory harvest reporting for mountain lions, coyotes, wolves or bobcats taken during livestock protection activities.

“Feral hogs cause extensive damage each year to Texas farms and ranches, and we need to research and support all options that will control the fast-growing population,” Boening said. “But they’re not the only species that are an issue on farms and ranches. Predators like mountain lions also generate livestock losses each year.”

Farm Bureau leaders approved policy supporting research into development of new timber-based products, as well as the creation of a Texas pecan promotion program to expand domestic and international markets.

Voting delegates adopted a resolution that opposes restrictions to agricultural water usage during shortages without first restricting non-essential water usage for lawns and other recreational purposes.

Strengthening the recent right to farm laws also received support from voting delegates, who passed policy that would enforce consequences for entities that do not comply with the new laws.

Farmers and ranchers issued support for programs and policies to conserve productive agricultural land from development without restricting private property rights.

Other policy issues focused on specialty crops, horse racing and disease traceability.

National issues
On the national level, voting delegates supported a legislative review of the Livestock Dealer Statutory Trust that includes input from all segments of the livestock production and marketing system.

Foreign ownership of agricultural land was an issue covered by both state and national policy positions.

Voting delegates adopted a resolution that opposes persons or entities from a foreign country owning land in Texas if U.S. citizens cannot own land in that foreign country. They also opposed foreign ownership, leasing or material investment in agricultural land, natural resources, production units, processing plants, facilities and/or warehouses that would result in unequal and unfair trade advantages and pose a threat of any kind to national security.

Policy process
State resolutions adopted at the TFB annual meeting become policies that guide the organization in 2025. National resolutions adopted by the voting delegates are sent to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for consideration in its resolutions process.

Resolutions approved by AFBF delegates in January provide a roadmap for the national organization.

Officers, directors elected
Sam Snyder of Moran was re-elected vice president, and Brian Adamek of Victoria was elected secretary-treasurer.

In other action, Adamek and Warren Cude of Fort Stockton were re-elected to two-year terms on the state board of directors.

Four new directors were also elected.

Mark True of Plainview is the new District 2 state director. He grows irrigated cotton, wheat, grain sorghum and millet. True also services the agricultural community with fuel sales and products. He has been a member of the Hale County Farm Bureau board of directors since 1997, serving as the county president for three terms. True also participated in TFB’s leadership program, AgLead, and has served on the state Resolutions Committee and Natural Resources Committee. True has also visited with Congressional lawmakers during National Affairs Awards Trips. He and his wife, Mary, have two children and five grandchildren.

James Foster of Lucas was elected to the Texas Farm Bureau board in December 2024. He grows corn, wheat and grain sorghum. He also raises cattle and markets the beef direct to consumer. He has held multiple officer positions with Collin County Farm Bureau, including five years as president. Foster has hosted teachers on his farm to give them an opportunity to learn more about agriculture. He has attended leadership conferences and visited with lawmakers during the National Affairs Awards Trips. Foster and his wife, Jennifer, have two children.

Michael Moon of Little River-Academy is the new District 8 state director. He raises cattle and custom hay bales for area farmers and ranchers. He has worked with the Texas A&M University Research Center and the Blackland Research Center. Moon has been active with Bell County Farm Bureau, serving as a board member for 12 years with six of those as president. Moon and his wife, Deborah, have three children.

Stephen Bauer of Harper is the new District 10 state director. Bauer raises cattle and sheep and grows hay in Kerr County. He has been a member of Kerr County Farm Bureau for nearly 30 years and served as the president for 18 years. Bauer has served on numerous county and TFB committees, including the state Resolutions Committee. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have two children.

91st Annual Meeting details
Click to view membership recognition, Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest winner, Excellence in Agriculture contest winner, Discussion Meet winner and more announcements from the annual meeting.

For more information about Texas Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org.