A Message from Executive Director, Susan J. Kibbe

Dear Members,

I hope that September is treating you well!

Several issues have been front and center these past couple of months. One being Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). It has raised its ugly head again.

As many of you know, a deer breeder from Duval County had deer that tested positive for CWD. Then instead of following the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) protocol, he commenced to disposing of and burying the deer himself, which ended up causing a CWD testing perimeter to be put in place for Duval and surrounding counties.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to submit your comments on the TPWD public comment link on their website. Your helpful input helped reduce the test perimeter boundaries and put a two-year sunset on the test boundary.

Property taxes is another issue that has become an annual tug of war with the county appraisal districts. There has to be real reform that comes from Austin that assures landowners that what they provide to the state in green space, conservation, and raising food and fiber deserves a fair productivity evaluation and appraisal. One that doesn’t compare Agriculture and Wildlife productivity to a commercial business.

And of course, Border Security is our predominate issue that has so affected property owners up and down the Texas/Mexico border. Landowners feel so disheartened with the federal government that has failed to help them in any meaningful way. County and State law enforcement have taken on the burden of dealing with the daily onslaught of criminal activity. As November approaches, I know landowners will support law and order, and the protection of its citizens.

We are so very excited about our 17th Annual Meeting and Fundraiser on October 8th in McAllen! Please come and support your organization. Help us continue our mission, to build upon the legacy started by our founders and share that legacy with the next generation. Agriculture and Wildlife Conservation is a tough job, but one very much worth fighting for. And I’m here to help you do that.

Until next month,

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Susan J. Kibbe
Office (361) 522-5194
Susan@STPRA.org

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