By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The deadline to apply for assistance through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund is fast approaching.

Applications for assistance through the relief fund can be found here.

A committee appointed by the Texas Farm Bureau Agriculture Research and Education Foundation board of directors will review the applications and funds will be dispersed as soon as practical.

Texas farmers and ranchers who have experienced unreimbursed losses or unreimbursed additional expenses are encouraged to submit their application by May 1.

Unreimbursed losses may include livestock, feed, buildings, fences and equipment, while unreimbursed additional expenses incurred may include temporary pastures and other costs.

“March and April have been tough months. Farmers and ranchers in the Panhandle suffered devastating losses and are facing a long road ahead to rebuild,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Texas Farm Bureau’s Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund can be a helping hand in that process, and we look forward to getting this financial assistance to those who need it.”

Several wildfires spread across the Texas Panhandle in March and April. The Perryton, Dumas and Lefors East fires, in addition to several fires since then, have claimed more than 520,000 acres.

“Texas agriculture is tough. Panhandle farmers and ranchers will bounce back,” Boening said. “It may be a struggle in the beginning, but one thing is for sure, agriculture will rise.”

Structures, fences, livestock and lives were lost. Equipment and pastures were also consumed by the blazes.

The estimated damage has risen to $25.1 million, up from the initial estimate of $21 million, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

And millions more are needed for farmers and ranchers to rebuild.

“Generous donations have been pouring into our relief fund,” Boening said. “Fellow farmers and ranchers, friends and businesses can’t fully understand what folks in the Panhandle went through, but they are helping in ways they know how—through donations.”

Monsanto Co. and Dow AgroSciences have also contributed to TFB’s relief fund.