Texas Farm Bureau distributes over $1.8 million to Panhandle wildfire victims

Thanks to more than 1,800 generous contributions, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) and its Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund recently distributed more than $1.8 million to farmers and ranchers impacted by February and March wildfires in the Panhandle.

“The scope and size of the Panhandle wildfires were unprecedented. Farm Bureau members, organizations and others from across the state and nation called in asking how they could help,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “While this aid cannot replace everything that was lost, we hope it truly helps in the recovery of those still reeling from the disaster.”

Wildfires burned over 1.2 million acres in the Panhandle. The Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund provided assistance for unreimbursed losses of livestock, feed, fences, equipment and the cost of temporary pastures.

Farmers and ranchers with unreimbursed agricultural losses were encouraged to apply for assistance. The relief fund was established through the organization’s nonprofit Agriculture Research and Education Foundation.

“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.”

A 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.”