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 Chase Usrey

High school sports, local coffee shop gossip and complaints about cattle, fuel and fertilizer prices—those are a few things ingrained early for a Northeast Texas boy. Growing up, we were taught to do your job, take care of your family, and go to church on Sunday.

However, the small world I grew up in got even smaller when I found out about Texas Farm Bureau and the opportunities they provide.

I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be centered in agriculture. I’ve also strived to think outside the box.

By Si Cook

TFB Organization Director

I was in South Texas the last weekend in April trying to accomplish a week’s worth of ranch work in one day. On Saturday, my time was cut short by a strange and wonderful event–a three-and-a-half inch rain!

By Steve Pringle

TFB Legislative Director

For years, Texas claimed to be a property rights state. Our politicians waxed eloquent on the stump about the sanctity of private property in Texas. Sometimes you get the idea that Davy Crockett died at the Alamo strictly because of Mexico’s eminent domain policy. It was, however, a sham. Texas, until the legislative session of 2011, had one of the nation’s worst eminent domain laws.

By Gene Hall

What are the greatest inventions of humankind?

Well, I’d guess the printing press and smallpox vaccination are right up there, but the TV remote control is pretty cool, too.

Automatic garage door openers have probably saved some marriages: “Honey, this monsoon has let up to just a driving rain so you can open the door now.”

I have a new candidate. The “find my iPhone app.” It is so cool. I am constantly misplacing my iPhone. Since I usually keep it in “stealth mode,” this is problematic. But the app tells it to beep anyway.

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.