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Texas Farm & Ranch Lands Conservation Council

Established in 2005 by the 79th Legislature, the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Program helps keep land under private ownership and in agricultural production by preventing development and fragmentation. The governing body of the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Program is the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Council.

The Council helps the Texas Land Commissioner administer the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Program and select grant recipients. Program grants are awarded based on the criteria set by the Council. Council members also seek funding for and help educate the public about the program.

The Council is composed of 10 members. The heads of the three state agencies related to agricultural issues and a representative from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) serve as ex officio members. Six members of the Council are appointed by the Governor. Ex officio members serve during their terms in office while appointed members serve staggered six year terms. Terms for two appointed member expire February 1st of every odd numbered year.

Council meetings are held at least once a year, or as necessary, and are open to the public. As of 2006, Council meetings are webcast live as well as archived for later viewing.

Council meeting agendas are posted in the Texas Register and can be accessed via the Texas Secretary of State website. Agenda must be posted seven working days prior to a Council meeting.

Jerry Patterson, Chair	Todd Staples	Carter Smith
Land Commissioner, Texas General Land Office	Commissioner, Texas Department of Agriculture	Executive Director, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Ex officio	Ex officio	Ex officio
Salvador Salinas	Thomas R. Kelsey	Neal Wilkins, Ph.D.
State Conservationist, USDA	Of Counsel, Berie Lamberth LLPR	Director, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources
Ex officio	Appointed by Governor, February 2013	Appointed by Governor, February 2015
Pam McAfee	Dan Dierschke	Mark W. Jones
Rancher	Farmer, Rancher, member of numerous agricultural organizations	President, First State Bank of Menard
Appointed by Governor, February 2017	Appointed by Governor, February 2015	Appointed by Governor, February 2013
George David Scott
Representing a Statewide Agricultural Organization
Appointed by Governor, February 2017