Personal Note from Natalie Meeks of Cattle Mafia
This is Natalie with Cattle Mafia, and if you know me, you know I always say, “Have truck, will travel.” It’s gotten me in more trouble than I can count, but it’s also gotten me into places where I’m needed most. Today, that place is with our fellow ranchers in the Texas Panhandle. We’re all hurting, but this situation goes beyond damage to land—it’s breaking people’s spirits. The stress is unimaginable, and it’s hitting these ranchers harder than ever. That’s why I’m asking for your prayers and your help. We need to come together like never before, because they need us. The FSA is turning its back on ranchers who’ve poured their life savings into rebuilding, and the system isn’t coming through. Let’s keep these folks in our thoughts and do everything we can. Together, we’re stronger.
Update from Lee Wells on the Front Lines of Texas Wildfire Relief
Lee Wells has been at the forefront of efforts to bring relief to the ranchers devastated by fires in the Texas Panhandle, but the challenge is growing more dire by the day. Promises made by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), part of the USDA, to reimburse ranchers for the cost of rebuilding fences have gone unfulfilled. These ranchers were told they would receive reimbursement within two weeks of completing their fences. That was back in April, and yet, here we are in October, with not a single check in sight.
“I’ve been on the phone with over 20 ranchers across the fire zone, and every one of them is struggling,” Lee explains. “They’ve laid out hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild, following all the specifications the FSA set for them, only to have their claims rejected over and over again. The bureaucracy is choking them.”
The situation is reaching a breaking point. Some ranchers have had to dip into their retirement savings, cashing out CDs just to cover the costs of rebuilding fences. With winter approaching, they’re running out of money to buy feed, supplements, and the necessary supplies to keep their livestock alive. “I’ve talked to ranchers who are barely eating themselves because they’ve put everything they have into their land and livestock,” Lee says, his voice full of frustration.
Attempts to escalate the issue have been met with more red tape. “I’ve called everyone from local representatives to Senator Cornyn’s office, and the answer is always the same—it’s a federal bottleneck, and nobody seems able to fix it,” Lee reports. Despite the setbacks, he is determined to keep pushing. “We’re not going to let these ranchers go down without a fight. They deserve better than this, and we’re going to make sure they get what was promised.”
Lee has rallied support from local advocates and government officials, but the wheels of bureaucracy move slowly. His team is working tirelessly to gather more information, create pressure, and find solutions that will bring immediate relief to these ranchers. “It’s time to stand up and make some noise,” Lee urges. “We need everyone—every Texan, every rancher, every person who cares about what’s right—to put the pressure on and get these ranchers what they’re owed.”
What Can Be Done Right Now
The I Am Texas Slim Foundation is stepping in where federal systems are failing. Lee and his team are putting together a program to move resources into the hardest-hit areas as quickly as possible. “We can’t wait for the government,” Lee says. “We’ve got to take care of our own.” With the help of volunteers like Natalie Meeks and many others in the community, they are coordinating the delivery of essential supplies—hay, feed, and fencing materials—to keep ranchers afloat during this crisis.
But they need help. Ranchers like those in the Panhandle have spent their lives working the land and raising livestock. They’re proud, independent people, but this is more than they can handle alone. “I know it’s hard to ask for help,” Lee admits, “but they need it, and we can’t let them down.”
Shake Your Rancher’s Hand
Ranchers in the Texas Panhandle are facing unprecedented challenges as they recover from devastating wildfires. The I Am Texas Slim Foundation is stepping in where federal systems have failed, delivering crucial supplies like hay, feed, and fencing materials. Your donation today can help keep these proud, independent ranchers afloat—join us in restoring hope and rebuilding their future.
A Call to Action from Natalie Meeks
As I prepare to head to Canyon, Texas, next week, I’m asking you to do what you can. If you’ve got supplies, if you’ve got ideas, if you’ve got a way to help, don’t hesitate. Reach out, and let’s get moving. These ranchers have given everything they have to protect their land and their livestock, and now it’s our turn to give something back to them. Pray for them, keep them in your hearts, and answer the call. We’ve been called to be servant leaders, and together, we can bring hope back to the Panhandle. Let’s do this.
Conclusion
The Texas Panhandle is facing one of its toughest challenges yet, but with the dedication of people like Natalie Meeks, Lee Wells, and countless others in the community, there is hope. The I Am Texas Slim Foundation is working tirelessly to bring relief to those who need it most, and they need your support to continue. Whether it’s through prayer, donations, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. As Lee Wells reminds us, “We’re going to get through this, but it’s going to take all of Texas standing up together.”
Stay tuned, stay involved, and let’s bring relief to our ranchers.
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