Waco, TX – According to the statement, now that the Texas Legislature has approved the Right to Farm Act to now go before voters and be put in the Texas Constitution, every day farming and ranching and family farms will be constitutionally protected.
The proposed constitutional amendment specifies that Texans have the right to farming, ranching, lumber and timber production and horticultural business.
They also will have the right to operate wildlife management programs on land that is owned or leased.
Agriculture Commissioner Miller released the following statement:
“It’s an historic day for Texas and for Texas agriculture. The proposed constitutional amendment will now go before the voters on November 7th where I believe it will pass comfortably, but we take nothing for granted.
I first began talking about the need for this several years ago. So today is a day that Farmers and Ranchers should celebrate before we get to work this fall on passing this amendment.
So now municipal encroachment will no longer threaten the livelihood of small farmers and ranchers. Each year Texas generates about $24.7 billion in cash receipts from agriculture and employs 1 out of every 7 working Texans. This industry has earned its place in our Constitution.
I want to thank the legislative sponsors and our Ag coalition partners in helping get this legislation passed. I look forward to talking with our fellow Texans about why this constitutional amendment is needed and how it will help Texas agriculture.”