By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Conversations about the right to farm and ranch, funding for Texas water, and farm and ranch land conservation echoed through the halls and offices at the state Capitol as Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members met with state lawmakers in February.
More than 300 farmers and ranchers attended the TFB Leadership Conference, which focused on constituents bringing attention to agricultural issues and TFB’s legislative priorities.
“Our livelihoods depend on sound policies that allow us to continue doing what we do best—raising livestock and growing our food, fiber and fuel,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “That’s why it’s important that we visit with lawmakers, hear what they’re working on and provide input and feedback on how that legislation affects agriculture and rural communities.”
During the conference, one of the most discussed issues was water availability.
An aging water infrastructure and increased demand for the finite resource are putting increased pressure on the state’s water supply.
“This is a statewide issue,” State Sen. Kevin Sparks said. “We have to make sure we come up with a system that provides for agriculture and urban areas.”
The Lone Star State needs about $150 billion over the next 50 years to address all water needs. A dedicated revenue source like the sales tax dedication for transportation could be a potential solution.
“We’re facing a long-term water deficit,” said Jeremy Mazur, director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources for Texas 2036. “Demands are going to go up as people move to Texas and don’t bring water with them.”
The continuation of the right to farm legislation is also a priority issue for TFB this session. Cities are ignoring the statutory and constitutional protections for the right to farm and ranch legislation that passed in the last session, and farmers and ranchers should be able to recover their legal expenses if they need to sue a municipality.
That urban encroachment also impacts farm and ranch land conservation efforts.
A bill filed this session aims to ensure that conservation easements funded by the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program enable the land to continue in agricultural use.
Texas is losing 887 acres of farm and ranch land per day, said State Rep. Ryan Guillen, who is the chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requested $30 million to fund the program for the biennium.
“That’s a reasonable request,” Guillen said.
The Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program supports responsible stewardship and conservation of working lands, water, fish and wildlife, and agricultural production by generating interest and awareness in easement programs and other options for conserving working lands.
Numerous foreign land ownership bills have been filed from legislators in both chambers, and TFB supports several of them.
“Foreign land ownership will be a hot topic this session,” said State Rep. Cole Hefner, who filed a bill on the issue.
The various bills outline stipulations for foreign individuals or entities purchasing or acquiring land. Certain exceptions are noted for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and leasehold interests under specific conditions.
TFB policy supports legislation that would prevent the foreign ownership, material investment or leasing of agricultural land, natural resources, production units, processing plants, facilities and/or warehouses that would result in unequal and unfair foreign trade advantages or endanger our national security.
Conference attendees also heard from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and a panel with TFB legislative staff on bills related to the organization’s priority issues.
The Texas Animal Health Commission provided an update on the New World screwworm, cattle fever tick quarantine zones, highly pathogenic avian influenza and animal disease traceability.
Agricultural advocacy
Texas farmers and ranchers took an active role in communicating the needs of rural Texas to lawmakers while in Austin, and the TFB board of directors also visited with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and chief of staff for Speaker of the House Rep. Dustin Burrows.
“Texas agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and these conversations help us craft legislation that supports our farmers and ranchers,” Boening said. “But those conversations don’t end with the conference. We’ll be back throughout the session to discuss bills, testify before committees and share how legislation impacts Texas agriculture.”
The conference was held Feb. 24-25 in Austin.
For more information on TFB priority issues, visit texasfarmbureau.org/advocacy/priority-issues.
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