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Executive Director’s Report

published: October 3rd 2008
by: Bill Hyman
source: ICA Of Texas

The past two weeks have been a blur as ICA mobilized to aid the victims of Ike in Southeast Texas. Immediately after the hurricane had passed, all of the agriculture associations, Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Agrilife Extension Service, the Texas Animal Health Commission, the Gover-nor’s office and others met to assess the aftermath and begin action. We all knew the impetus of federal and state aid was going to be centered on human needs and that we would need to work together to help our fellow farmers and ranchers in need. Beginning with the first loads of water troughs, hay and feed purchased by ICA and delivered by Dr. Jason Cleere, the project was jump started and the donations continued on throughout the following days. Extension agents from around Texas began manning the relief site in Anahuac and producers arrived to pick up the much needed items. Deliveries were made to areas that needed assistance but could not make it to the relief point. Over the next few days a relief point in Orange was opened and some hay and feed was diverted there as well. The entire effort was everyone working together with a lot of Indians and no Chiefs. The hours, as one cowboy put it, were “From cain’t till cain’t.” No one complained and no one rested. What began with 80 round bales, 40 troughs and five tons of feed continued to be over 3,000 round bales, 200+ troughs and many truck loads of feed. Almost all the supplies were donated or purchased with donations.
    Many industry partners responded with Pfizer and Novartis donating thousands of doses of vaccine for the health challenged cattle. John Gary of Wharton became our “go-to” person for hay and he personally donated or garnered over 600 round bales. Richard Hodge, Don Bell Sr., Bruce Dopslauf, Phil Sadler, Windy Miller, Bryan Malaer, Cal Maine Foods, Nolan Ryan and many others all sent hay. E F. Ehrig and Sons from Gonzales provided two trucks, trailers and drivers for over ten days to keep the hay headed to Anahuac. Their support and overwhelming generosity is to be commended. My cell phone rang steadily and the calls poured in from members and perfect strangers who offered their assistance. Many gave generously to the Ike Relief fund collected by ICA and the Agrilife Extension Service fund. Our office stayed busy as we worked to connect the needs of those in the destroyed area with the resources at hand. Many of those affected were too proud to ask for help, but it was provided as their needs were identified.
    The disaster is not over by a long shot. The mid to long term assessment of the area for ranching is dismal. Hundreds of miles of fencing have been destroyed. Thousands of acres of pasture are brown with all vegetation killed by the salt-water storm surge. Everyone has lost cattle; some have lost almost their entire herd. Houses, barns, hay sheds, and pens are damaged or destroyed. The stench of rotting carcasses and debris is overwhelming. Many roads are still impassible even though they now lead to nowhere.
    Despite all of this, the spirit of these folks has not been extinguished. They continue to work together to recover. Possessions have been lost but friendship, trust, and compassion for others, is alive and well in Southeast Texas. The struggle is not over but your efforts and generosity has made the road to recovery easier.
ICA