NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Texas Farm Credit recently donated $5,000 to Stephen F. Austin State University’s College of Forestry and Agriculture following a fire that destroyed a facility at the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center in November 2018.
While the fire at the Beef Farm did not injure any individuals or animals, the facility has not yet been rebuilt to the needs of SFA students majoring in animal science.
“TFC is delighted to help in the rebuilding effort of the SFA Beef Farm,” said Angela Shannon, VP Forest Lending Products of Texas Farm Credit. “These students are persevering despite hardship. Their values align perfectly with ours, and we are proud to lend them a hand.”
The Beef Farm is an integral part of the 726-acre research center and provides hands-on experience to students. Since the fire, students have conducted laboratory work in a make-shift facility with temporary pens for the cattle, making record-keeping and animal care more difficult.
“Our animal science faculty members have done a remarkable job adapting to the loss of the beef farm facility to fire last year,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of the college. “Texas Farm Credit’s generous contribution will assist us in replacing this critical facility so we can meet our mission of supplying highly trained graduates to an industry vital to the Texas economy.”
The Beef Farm also provides service to local schools and the community through events, tours, and high-school agricultural competitions. An estimated 5,300 guests visit the center each year.
Friends and alumni who wish to donate funds to aid in the recovery of the facility and its contents may contribute in a variety of ways. To donate online, visit www.sfasu.edu/give. Select “other,” specify “Beef Farm” and follow the designated steps to complete the donation.
Checks made payable to the SFA Office of Development may be mailed to P.O. Box 6092-SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962. Please include a note stating the contribution is for the SFA Beef Farm. Donors also may call the SFA Office of Development at (936) 468-5406 to designate a donation to the SFA Beef Farm.
For any inquiries regarding other ways to help, contact Dr. Joey Bray, chair of the SFA Department of Agriculture, or Dr. Erin Brown, professor of animal science, at (936) 468-3705.
Texas Farm Credit is a rural lending cooperative that finances agricultural operations, agribusinesses, homes and rural real estate, and offers a variety of insurance services. Each year their Passion Forward program aims to give back 2% of their annual net income to local charitable organizations. Headquartered in Robstown, Texas Farm Credit serves 100 Texas counties and is part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of rural lending cooperatives established in 1916.
–Texas Farm Credit
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