Capital Farm Credit contributes to Farm Credit donation of $380,000 for Texas wildfire relief

In response to recent devastating wildfire outbreaks impacting much of the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma, Capital Farm Credit, along with several Farm Credit System organizations have joined forces to contribute funds to support extensive wildfire recovery and relief efforts in the Texas Panhandle.

Several wildfires across the region, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire — the largest wildfire ever recorded in Texas — have burned nearly 1.3 million acres north of Amarillo. Two people have lost their lives and many others have been displaced from their homes. While the full scope of damage will take time to assess, losses include livestock, homes and other structures, equipment, fencing, fodder, and infrastructure.

To support agricultural producers and communities stricken by the deadly fires, 10 Texas Farm Credit District lending cooperatives, along with Farm Credit Bank of Texas, CoBank, Farmer Mac and other System organizations, have pledged a combined $380,000 for fire relief efforts. Contributors include: AgTexas Farm Credit Services, AgTrust Farm Credit, Alabama Ag Credit, Capital Farm Credit, Central Texas Farm Credit, Heritage Land Bank, Mississippi Land Bank, Plains Land Bank, Southern AgCredit, Texas Farm Credit, American AgCredit, Farm Credit Services of America and Farm Credit Mid-America.

“No matter large or small, members of our CFC family were impacted, including coworkers and customers,” said Jeff Norte, chief executive officer. “When tragedy strikes, we come together to try our best to ease heartache, loss, and destruction, even when it seems impossible to rationalize the broken pieces that will mend in time.”

“During good times and bad, Farm Credit is here for agriculture. Capital Farm Credit is here for Texas. Together, we will start to rebuild.”

Pledges will benefit the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Disaster Relief Fund and county-level efforts compiled by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.