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Rancher Ratcliff Appointed To USDA Farm Service Agency Committee

published: February 5th 2010
source: Independent Cattlemen’s Association

Wesley Ratcliff, a cattle rancher near Oakwood, a small community about 60 miles southwest of Tyler, has been appointed to the Texas State Committee for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The state committee oversees the agency’s activities, including carrying out state agricultural conservation programs and resolving appeals from the agriculture community. They also keep farmers and ranchers informed on FSA programs that include providing operating loans for farms, equipment, seed and fertilizer; facilitating income support, and providing disaster assistance  The agency also benefits low-income families through food assistance programs.

“Wesley Ratcliff, owner of Caney Creek Ranch, is an excellent choice for this FSA state committee and is a fine representative for cattle producers in the state,” said Bill Hyman, executive director of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) of Texas.  Ratcliff, an ICA state director, chairs the association’s animal health and safety committee, serves on the ICA’s nominations and legislative and regulatory committees, and is president of the East Texas ICA Chapter.

“In addition to his expertise with Charbray breed cattle, Ratcliff is an Army veteran and was an aerospace engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  He holds a bachelor’s degree from Prairie View University, earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Houston and taught at Texas Southern University for several years,” said Hyman.

Ratcliff will serve on the Texas FSA committee with fellow agriculturalists Jerry D. Glover of Muleshoe, committee chair; Debra Barrett of Edroy; Amando Madujano of Coyanosa; and Glen A. Rod of El Campo.

“These individuals will work with the USDA to help farmers and ranchers build and maintain successful operations that produce the safe and nutritious food supply that America needs, while spurring economic development in our nation’s rural communities,” said Tom Vilsack, U.S. agriculture secretary.