By Mike Barnett

Total devastation visited Fleming Grain and Cattle Company Thursday evening. The storms that rolled through Texas that day damaged and destroyed thousands of acres of corn and wheat on several farms in Bell and Falls counties and other parts of the state as well.

The year started with promise for farmers like Robert Fleming. His crops looked good. It was a bit dry, however, and he was optimistic for the moisture Thursday’s cold front would bring. He didn’t bargain for the pea-sized hail driven by straight-line winds that peppered the crops like a mini-machine gun.

By Mike Barnett

Our sympathy and admiration go out to the people of West, whose strength and courage have held this rural community together in a time of tragedy.

Lives of first responders—men and women who selflessly run toward danger so others can live—have been lost and we mourn their passing, recognizing that these volunteers commit their time, resources and yes, their well-being, to keep their friends, families and communities safe.

Their selfless actions are no surprise to residents of small town Texas. And neither is the outpouring of fellow Texans who have graciously donated their resources. Texans help Texans.

Seems like there’s a barbeque shack or three in every small town in the Lone Star State, and Texas Monthly (TM) has just hired a full-time editor to review them. At first glance, I thought I had lost my dream job.

Imagine the opportunity to sample the best Q on earth and get paid for it. Heaven.

But then I thought again.

For every good barbeque joint in Texas, there are 10 bad ones. What at first glance seems like nirvana could fast turn into a gastronomic nightmare.

By Mike Barnett

The Legislature took a significant step last week toward meeting Texas’ future water needs as the House Committee on Natural Resources passed a bill to jump start water projects in Texas, as reported in Texas Farm Bureau’s Austin Newsletter.

 The multi-year drought that caused over $7.6 billion in agricultural losses in 2011 alone and is drying up water sources for many Texas towns and cities has drawn the attention of our lawmakers in Austin. HB 4 by Representative Allan Ritter (R-Nederland) proposes that $2 billion be used from the Rainy Day Fund to create a revolving loan program so communities can begin working on projects outlined in the State Water Plan.

By Mike Barnett

When I drive out in the country this time of year I think of Vegas, where the high rollers gamble their stake for a winning bet.

No bright lights, rustling crowds and the whir of slot machines in Central Texas. Instead, I see red and green tractors and a variety of farm equipment. It’s a different kind of gambling and farmers have anted up all winter, developing their game plan, preparing the land and laying down fertilizer. Now it’s time to go all-in and the rumble of high-powered machinery could be heard this weekend as farmers dropped seed into the ground.