Canales returns to Eagle Pass to address opportunities for farmers

A.D. Ibarra

-Maverick County 

 Showbarn

     A group of representatives from a variety of state agencies descended on the Maverick County Showbarn on Thursday to lay out opportunities for our farmers and ranchers to know exactly what is available in terms of financial assistance to not only repair any and all damage sustained by their property, but ways and incentives the state helps them to keep their farms safe and environmentally safe.

     Judy Canales, State Executive Director for the USDA's Farm Service Agency in Texas under Texas Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, was on hand to address the gathering and to introduce herself to the farmers and ranchers who had heard of this conference and made it a point to attend.

     Ivan Camacho and The Texas-Mexico Border Coalition founded by Omar Garza was instrumental in putting together the panel present including financial expert Joe Lopez, Joe De Ochoa, Area Director at the Texas Rural Development Office among others were also there.

     "These events have happened all along the US-Mexico Border," stated Canales, "We've had so much activity here, the pecan orchards are still vibrant, so we're asking what can we do?  The US Congress is completing the Farm & Jobs Bill as one in four jobs in the US are linked to agricullture."

     They are very hopeful the Farm Bill will get back on the agenda.

     "I appreciate the leadership of Mr. Ramirez, Mr. De Ochoa and Mr Lopez who have 21 counties to service," concluded the new Executive Director who was recently named to her new post four months ago.

     "We're promoting an outreach initiative with available programs with the USDA," stated Camacho before the meeting began, "We also have Mr. Serafin Aguirre with the NRCS, who highlighted technical financial assistance, Mr. De Ochoa will address value added grants and a business and industry guarantee program and we're closing our meeting here today with a brush management workshop given by Mr. Oscar Galindo, Texas A&M Agrilfe Extension Agent for Maverick County."

     Overall the event was very beneficial for all agriculture related businessmen to have attended and all ranchers and local farmers should be aware of these opportunities to grow.