Special to the Bulletin
ARLINGTON — Texas farmers and ranchers adopted new policy and elected leadership during the Texas Farm Bureau’s 92nd annual meeting, held Dec. 7 with more than 700 voting delegates in attendance.
Delegates discussed emerging issues and adopted resolutions that will guide the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization in 2026.
Key topics included artificial intelligence, the expansion of data centers and solar installations, and the value of natural fibers.
Resolutions approved by delegates support state regulatory authority to establish enforceable minimum standards and best practices for AI data centers, server farms, cryptocurrency mining and similar facilities to address environmental hazards and high demands on water and energy resources.
Delegates also approved measures requiring renewable energy projects, data centers, residential subdivisions and industrial complexes to compensate landowners for damages such as soil, water and air contamination, erosion, and infrastructure impacts.
A resolution regarding artificial intelligence calls for systems to disclose how responses are generated and to rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for agricultural information.
Delegates also endorsed agrivoltaics — combining solar energy production with agricultural use — and resolutions promoting the value of natural fibers, including cotton and wool.
Trade and water issues were also addressed. Delegates supported including enforceable provisions in trade agreements with Mexico or Canada to ensure compliance with water treaties, following Mexico’s recent failure to meet obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. Other adopted resolutions addressed diesel exhaust fluid systems, the National Scrapie Eradication Program, and food labeling requirements.
In leadership elections, Russell Boening of Wilson County Farm Bureau was re-elected president. Warren Cude of Pecos-Reeves County Farm Bureau was elected vice president, and Brian Adamek of Victoria County Farm Bureau was re-elected secretary-treasurer.
Several state board members were re-elected, and three new directors were chosen: Jerry Moody of Omaha for District 5, Paul Minzenmayer of Rowena for District 7, and Ted Britton of Palestine for District 9.
Moody, a poultry and cattle grower, operates a u-pick tulip farm and has served on multiple Texas Farm Bureau committees.
Minzenmayer grows cotton and wheat, raises beef cattle, and has received national recognition from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Britton owns a feed store, raises cattle, grows hay and manages timber, and founded the Youth Ambassador Program through Anderson County Farm Bureau.
State resolutions approved at the annual meeting will guide Texas Farm Bureau policy in 2026, while national resolutions will be forwarded to the American Farm Bureau Federation for consideration in its resolutions process.
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