By Jessica Domel
News Editor
To ensure the current and future needs of Texas farmers, ranchers and dairymen are met, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) leaders from across the state will meet in Austin for the TFB Leadership Conference Jan. 30-Feb. 1.
During the conference, TFB staff, lawmakers and their staffs will discuss issues that may arise this legislative session. They will share their insight on these issues and answer questions about future plans.
TFB’s state legislative priorities will also be discussed in detail.
They are:
Eminent Domain—Ensure property owners’ rights are protected under eminent domain law.
Producer Financial Protections—Protect agricultural producers’ ownership in the crops they produce and deliver to a contract purchaser or a warehouse. Ensure that agricultural lien searches and notification procedures protect agricultural producers.
Water—Protect the rights of landowners and agricultural producers to surface water and groundwater. Oppose legislation that attempts to take any constitutionally-protected rights to water.
Taxes—Ensure state tax policy does not adversely impact or burden agricultural producers or the agricultural industry. Protect the current state tax provisions that limit the burden on producing food, fiber and other agricultural products for consumers.
Land Use Regulation—Protect the rights of agricultural producers to engage in normally-accepted agricultural practices on their land. Oppose unnecessary regulatory authority over rural land.
Transportation—Ensure vehicle, trailer and drivers license regulations do not adversely impact or burden agricultural producers or the agricultural industry.
Animal Care—Protect the ability of agricultural producers to utilize generally-accepted, scientifically-proven production practices for livestock, poultry and other animals present on agricultural operations.
TFB President Russell Boening will also address the group.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, TFB members are encouraged to visit with their state representatives and Texas senators about the state legislative priorities and other issues rural Texans face.
This year, the conference will also include Young Farmer & Rancher breakout sessions as there will not be a separate Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference.
Registration for the event kicks off at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30. The conference will follow at noon with an opening luncheon. The event will be held at the Omni Austin Hotel Southpark in Austin.