Supplemental Budget Bill Passes

HB 4586, the supplemental budget bill authored by Representatives Jim Pitts and Craig Eiland and sponsored by Senator Steve Ogden, has passed both chambers and now heads to the Governor for his signature.

The legislation carries important funding for Texas producers and rural communities. Of note is $20 million for the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation. The money will address critical set backs caused by Hurricanes Ike and Dolly. Texas is the number one cotton producing state in the nation and it's imperative we protect our cotton growers from pests such as the boll weevil.

The supplemental bill will also assist in attracting veterinarians to our rural communities. Right now, Texas is suffering from a major shortage of large animal vets. The Office of Rural Community Affairs has been allocated $500,000 for the Rural Veterinarian Large Animal Loan Repayment Program. The program will address large animal veterinarian needs in rural Texas. The program would require large animal vets to practice in a rural area as a condition for repayment of veterinary school loans.

Our state representatives and senators have put in long hours to come up with legislation that will make Texas a better place to live, work and raise a family. I want to thank them for their patience and continued commmitment to the Lone Star State.

Photo Slideshow of Operation New Fences

Enjoy photos from Operation New Fences:

Helping Operation New Fences

We are blessed to live in the great state of Texas. Today, I witnessed this first hand when I joined volunteers in Operation New Fences.

Today the true character of Texas was demonstrated. Volunteers are here helping Southeast Texas ranchers rebuild, one fencepost at a time.

The same spirit that was alive and well in 1836 that built this great state is still alive in 2009.

Operation New Fences

Six months ago, Hurricane Ike hit rural Southeast Texas devastating communities and agricultural lands. Today, Texans have a chance to help farmers and ranchers rebuild the homes, ranches and lives devastated by the storm.

You can lend a hand to your fellow Texans by donating supplies or volunteering your time through our latest relief effort: "Operation New Fences." Ranchers lost an estimated 4,800 cows and 5,600 calves in the storm surge of Hurricane Ike. Those cattle can’t be replaced until new fences are built.

I urge you to help these hard-working Texans in their time of need. Click HERE if you need help, or if you would like to assist in rebuilding the 1,700 miles of destroyed fence line in Chambers, Galveston, Liberty, Orange and Jefferson counties.

I would like to thank Texas AgriLife Extension and the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International for helping make this effort possible.

Read some of my past blog posts on Hurricane Ike:

Dec. 17, 2008- Funds Available for Texas Farmers and Ranchers Recovering from Hurricane Ike

Dec.9, 2008- Documentary Highlights Texan Teamwork after Hurricane Ike

Oct 27, 2008- Testimony Before Senate Committees on Hurricane Ike

Sept. 23, 2008- Aerial Tour With Houston Astros Player Carlos Lee

Sept. 22, 2008- Slideshow From Aerial Tour of Hurricane Ike

Sept. 20, 2008- Texans Answer the Call for Assistance

Sept. 17, 2008-Aerial Tour of Areas Devastated by Hurricane Ike

Sept. 16, 2008- Update on Hurricane Ike Help for Texas Farmers and Ranchers

Sept. 15, 2008- Texans Need Your Help After Hurricane Ike Strands Livestock

Governor Perry appoints the Commission for Disaster Recovery and Renewal

I appreciate Governor Perry appointing the Commission for Disaster Recovery and Renewal and look forward to continuing to assist the Texas agriculture community, as well as other victims, of hurricanes and natural disasters. Texans have proven time and again they can face adversity and overcome. I am confident this committee will develop a plan that will ensure timely and appropriate assistance for Texans who have suffered through major disasters.

Having previously served as chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security, I can assure all Texans our system of response and recovery is fast acting and designed to be receptive to the needs of its citizens.

Documentary Highlights Texan Teamwork After Hurricane Ike

On Monday, I met with Texas AgriLife Extension Service to be part of a documentary on the tremendous response to Hurricane Ike. AgriLife Extension was one of many great partners who collaborated to meet the diverse needs of Texas farmers and ranchers after the devastation.

Hurricane Ike resulted in what was most likely the largest cattle drive in Texas and North America. Approximately 15,000 head of cattle were displaced by the storm, and it was critical to move fast to make sure the surviving livestock received food, water and nutrients. Without hesitation, a partnership of Texans was formed.

Because of the outstanding efforts of several state and federal agencies, as well as close coordination with industry partners such as the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Independent Cattlemen’s Association and others, Southeast Texas will be able to recover from the devastating impact.

The video is expected to be available in January 2009 and we will post it on the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Web site at www.tda.state.tx.us.

If you or someone you know still needs assistance from Hurricane Ike, visit TDA’s Web site and click on our Hurricane Ike Recovery Resource Fact Sheet.

Testimony before Senate Committees on Hurricane Ike

Today, I testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation on Texas' response to Hurricane Ike. I appreciated the Senators giving me the opportunity to talk about this important issue.

I began my testimony by recognizing the great accomplishments and teamwork of government, industry and citizens during the storm. Losing one life is one too many; however, and if it was not for the incredible efforts by Texans, the loss of human life could have been substantially higher. Great work and preparation saved lives.

The state's emergency response system was managed professionally and comprehensively. For the most part, the State Operation Center's response was reliable and quick. Pre-positioning of fuel, food, personnel and resources was critical and from my vantage point the agriculture community came forth with a cohesive response, donating significant amounts of time and resources to help fellow Texans in need.

With all this said, we must prepare for future disasters and learn from our mistakes. TDA, the Texas Animal Health Commission, AgriLife Extension, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association have convened an initial post review meeting and have scheduled follow-up meetings to address some issues initiated an after-action review process and will improve upon the response based upon our lessons-learned.

The agriculture industry's response needs stronger coordination among agriculture-related agencies. Pre-planned collaboration is lacking for agriculture needs beyond animal health. Key entities need to be assigned responsibilities and trained; plus it is crucial to reduce confusion regarding the process for accessing FEMA assistance. The state needs to consider forming an Animal Incident Management Team to address these issues.

Texans should be proud of the response after this deadly storm hit, but as a state we must continue to work hard so we are even more prepared for future hurricanes and other disasters.

Aerial Tour with Houston Astros Player Carlos Lee

Today I traveled to Houston where Astros left fielder Carlos Lee, his wife Mary, and I took an aerial tour of the area damaged by Hurricane Ike. The storm’s impact on agriculture is staggering, with direct and indirect losses totaling several hundred million dollars. Many producers are left with croplands that will not be productive for one to possibly two years. Others have lost their entire operations, possibly forever. We need to do what we can to assist these Texans.

Lee raises Brahman cattle on his Texas ranch, and feels a strong connection to other agricultural producers. He says after viewing the massive destruction up close, he understands the hardships his fellow ranchers and the Texas agriculture industry now face.

"It's one thing to see it on the news and a whole different thing to see it live," Lee said. "It was hard. As a rancher I understand it's not easy to be in the cattle business. A lot of cattle are dead. Some people are coming back and seeing that all they worked for is destroyed."
Lee wants to help agricultural producers get back on their feet and he demonstrated his commitment by donating $25,000 to assist Texas farmer and ranchers as they recover.

Last week, I made an official request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for assistance with future agricultural and rural restoration. While I’m hopeful Texans will receive federal assistance, Lee and I both ask you to take action now and help the people who put food on our tables and clothes on our backs – our fellow farmers and ranchers.


I want to remind everyone that a foundation has been created through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service to help fund some of the recovery efforts. To donate, visit agrilifevents.tamu.edu.




The Texas Farm Bureau has posted some pictures of Hurricane Ike’s devastation on its Web site to further demonstrate the need for your help. Click here to see the photos.

Slideshow from Aerial Tour of Hurricane Ike Damage

Click photo to view the slideshow of my aerial tour of Jefferson and Chambers counties last week:

Texans Answer the Call for Assistance

No matter what we as Texans face, we always manage to pull through – together. This couldn’t be truer than in Chambers and Jefferson counties where efforts continue to save livestock.

Since Monday, when I asked Texans to help their neighbors by donating hay to feed hungry cattle and horses, we have received almost 4000 round bales and about 2000 more are being offered. This is truly incredible, and I thank all of you who have stepped up to the plate.

Texans have also come through on monetary donations. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service foundation has received almost $100,000 in funds. These monies will be used to continue relief efforts and assist producers in reestablishing their operations.

We have also had many ranchers offer their land for grazing. Between Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers and the Texas Department of Agriculture, we have been offered around 5,000 acres of pasture.

Our next step in this recovery process is contracting livestock haulers to help move cattle out of the devastated area. We are working with the Livestock Marketing Association and the state’s cattle associations to complete this task.

Finally, there is some good news out of the Farm Service Agency. Farmers and ranchers in counties affected by Hurricane Ike who were attempting to meet the Sept. 16 deadline for certain disaster assistance programs, but couldn't due to Hurricane-related temporary FSA office closures, now have an extension.
For more information contact FSA toll free by calling 1-866-680-6069 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Helpful Phone Numbers and Links

Restoration and recovery efforts continue in Southeast Texas today following the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Below are some helpful phone numbers and links for those who would like to make a donation, or for those producers who need help:

REQUEST ASSISTANCE

AgriLife Extention Service
409-374-2123
Call the Chambers County AgriLife Extension Office if you are an agriculture producer in need of food, water or transport for your livestock.

Texas Animal Health Commission
(800) 550-8242, ext. 296
If you have general livestock or animal health questions, contact the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Natural Resources Conservation Service
(979) 846-0757, ext. 3
Call the Natural Resources Conservation Service if you need help disposing of animal carcasses left in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

Texas Attorney General
(800) 252-8011 or www.oag.state.tx.usIf you suspect a business of gasoline, or other, price gouging after the hurricane, you can report them by calling the attorney general or filing a report on the Texas Attorney General's Web site. You can also find useful consumer protection information as you begin to recover and rebuild.

Small Business Administration
(800) U-ASK-SBA or www.sba.gov
Owners of small businesses, including some agriculture operations, affected by Hurricane Ike can apply for financial disaster assistance.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
(800) 621-FEMA or www.fema.gov
People affected by the storm can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA for food and lodging vouchers.

Public Utilities Commission
(888) 782-8477 or www.puc.state.tx.us
Get updated information on the progress of power restoration by contacting the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

MAKE A DONATION

Texas Department of Agriculture
1-800-TELL-TDA
Call the Texas Department of Agriculture if you would like to donate or assist in the transportation of hay, feed, water or other supplies to farmers and ranchers affected by the storm. There is also a need for assistance in transporting livestock from affected areas and pastures where evacuated animals may be re-located.

AgriLife Extension Service
(979) 845-2604 or AgriLife online
Call or log-on to make a monetary contribute to help farmers and ranchers through the "No Fences" Hurricane Ike Horse and Cattle Relief fund. Monetary donations are needed to defray transportation costs associate with the rescue of horses and cattle, as well as the purchase of goods like feed and water troughs.

American Red Cross
(800) HELP-NOW
You can donate your time and money to those affected by the storm via the Red Cross.

East Texas Food Bank
(800) 815-3663
All food banks are taking food and money donations to help evacuees and other storm victims.

Aerial Tour of Area Devastated by Hurricane Ike

Today I traveled to Southeast Texas to meet with the men and women on the ground who are working tirelessly assisting in the massive hurricane recovery effort. After sitting down and hearing the needs of officials in Beaumont and Jefferson County, I was able to survey Jefferson and Chambers counties by air.


Don Gohmert from the Natural Resources Conservation Service joined me on the helicopter flight. We saw an extremely broad path of massive destruction – from entire communities wiped away to highways and bridges either destroyed or covered with massive barges. We also saw acres and acres of cropland and pastures that had been swallowed by the salty surge, estimated at up to ten miles inland.


From the air we witnessed live cattle wading through belly deep-water miles from high ground. Some cattle we found huddled together on top of levies searching for a path back home but finding no safe place to turn.


The fences, barns and corrals that used to dot this region are now gone, cleared away by the massive wall of water and wind.


However, the most moving thing I witnessed was the unconquerable spirit of our fellow Texans facing adversity as we speak. Sergeant Pipkin from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department is a living tribute to public service. Hurricane Ike destroyed his family’s home, yet he remains on the job working 18 hours a day meeting the needs of his neighbors. Sergeant Pipkin is representative of the many Texas heroes who are working to rebuild our state.




We have a long road ahead of us, but with our independent spirit, our determined work ethic and our faith in God, we will survive this horrible disaster and become stronger.

You can see more of the full-sized photos we took on our tour in a slideshow HERE.
Or you can click on the photo below to start an embedded slideshow.

Update on Hurricane Ike Help for Texas Farmers & Ranchers

Above is a screenshot from a photo gallery on USAToday.com that shows several photos of Hurricane Ike's devastation in Southeast Texas. This powerful picture reemphasizes the importance of Texans helping agricultural producers in a time of dire need. Read my post from yesterday on how you can help ranchers like the one pictured above in High Island on the Bolivar Peninsula.

At this time, the Texas Department of Agriculture has sent three trucks with USDA commodities to the food banks in Houston, San Antonio and East Texas to help feed evacuees. We expect to get a request later today to make additional deliveries later this week.

We have had an overwhelming response from hay producers who have donated over 1,850 bales in the past two days. 11,000 more bales of hay have been committed, but more donations are still needed to help pay for the transportation costs to move it to Jefferson and Chambers counties. Some hay producers are not only donating hay, but are also driving it to the distribution point at White’s Park in Chambers County. Click HERE for a map to the hay donation drop-off point if you would also like to help.

I commend those who have generously volunteered their time, products and money to help fellow Texans in the face of disaster. It makes me proud to see so many selfless individuals making sacrifices on behalf of their fellow Texans.

Texans Need Your Help after Hurricane Ike Strands Livestock

Photo Courtesy: Smiley N. Pool, AFP/Getty Images.
Click photo for a photo gallery of more Hurricane Ike damage on USAToday.com

The Texas Department of Agriculture is teaming with local, state and federal partners as well as statewide agricultural organizations to meet the needs of thousands of agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ike.

I extend this urgent plea to Texans across the state to assist in any way they can to help farmers and ranchers hit hard by the deadly storm. Producers in Southeast Texas are in desperate need of our help to save their livestock. Storm surges from Hurricane Ike have destroyed fences and made forage and water sources harmful to livestock.

We are working with federal and state officials to save the remaining livestock, but also need assistance from fellow Texans to ensure the effects of this catastrophe don’t become worse. State agencies are still trying to assess the financial impact Hurricane Ike has caused Texas agricultural producers; however, at this time, tens of thousands of livestock are without food and are at risk of dying if not fed.

For producers needing aid, it is essential they contact their local emergency management officials who are in direct communication with the state emergency disaster management team and will be able to allocate the proper resources. If your livestock-related needs are not met, you can contact staff at the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 ext. 296.

I ask producers who are signed up through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline to sell or donate animal feed, hay or other resources such as feed and water troughs. Producers in need of these resources are encouraged to call the hotline at 1-800-Tell-TDA or visit our Hay Hotline for more information.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is also setting up horse and cattle feed donation and distribution sites. Contact your local extension agent for more information. If you would like to offer financial resources to the animal relief effort, AgriLife Extension Service has set up a foundation on their Web site, or call 979-845-2604.

To see the impact of Hurricane Ike on Texas livestock, watch this video on CNN.com of loose cattle in Baytown.

Tour of Hurricane Ike Shelter

On Friday, just before Hurricane Ike made landfall along the Texas coast, I traveled to East Texas and spoke with Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and Smith County Judge Joel Baker. Together we visited St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler, which is being utilized as a hurricane shelter. I also visited the American Red Cross sign-in headquarters, a hurricane shelter located at Dogwood Hills East Baptist Church, and the Emergency Operations Center in Anderson County with Sheriff Greg Taylor. We spoke with many citizens who had to evacuate, but who did so with strong resolve and positive outlooks. They expressed deep appreciation for the many volunteers who are working around the clock to provide for them in their time of need.

Texans staying in shelters like the ones in Tyler and Palestine, as well as others across our great state are in good hands. In fact, the Texas Department of Agriculture has been asked to deliver food commodities such as green beans, carrots, potatoes, various fruits and ground beef to the shelters this weekend.

This is a critical time for many, and is a great opportunity for Texans to help other Texans. I encourage you to donate to your local food banks. They need personal hygiene products, canned goods and single snack items like granola bars. You can also donate money to your local food bank.

I hope all Texans in the path of Hurricane Ike were able to get to a safe shelter. But the road to recovery will continue after the storm passes. We must continue to volunteer to help our fellow Texans pick up the pieces from the devastation this storm could bring.

Hurricane Ike Preparations, Remembering 9/11

Today I visited the State Emergency Operations Center in Austin as Texas prepares for Hurricane Ike to make landfall. Thousands of volunteers, state, federal and local employees along with many private businesses working around the clock to keep Texans safe from the storm. I urge all Texans to heed the warnings of local officials, as meteorologists say Ike’s storm surge could cause massive flooding and power outages in cities along our coastline.

The Texas Department of Agriculture is strategically placing food supplies around the state to help feed evacuees at shelters. It makes me proud to see the large numbers of volunteers who stand willing to help other Texans in their time of need. It’s because of their selflessness that others are guided through such a difficult time.

As we prepare for the worst, and hope for the best, we cannot forget the heroes who lost their lives on this very day seven years ago. I encourage all Texans to take time today to reflect on the great loss our country felt on 9/11, but to also remember the resiliency and fortitude embedded in the character of Americans that allows us to overcome such tragedies. We honor the men and women of the United States armed forces who have stepped up to keep America safe while fighting for the basic freedoms and democracy.