KERRVILLE — The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo delivered a $500,000 donation to support agricultural programs in Texas Hill Country after severe flooding, officials confirmed. The funds, pledged four months ago, are assisting recovery efforts and sustaining educational and livestock projects for local youth and industry participants.
Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, emphasized the importance of supporting communities during crises. The donation was allocated across multiple programs:
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$150,000 to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s STAR Fund to aid farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners in 29 eligible counties with disaster recovery, including rebuilding fences, restoring operations, and replacing equipment and livestock.
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$150,000 to the Kerr County Stock Show to support event operations, scholarships, endowments, and livestock premiums, offsetting revenue losses from the annual fundraiser.
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$100,000 to the “Back in the Saddle” campaign, managed through the Texas Equine Foundation, for rebuilding barns and fences, replacing equipment, and reuniting displaced horses.
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$50,000 to the Kerr County 4-H program to maintain year-round programming, show contests, and operation of the 4-H project barn.
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$50,000 to Texas FFA chapters in Kerr County to sustain student programming and agricultural project participation affected by fundraising losses.
Pat Mann Phillips, Chairman of the Board, noted the disaster’s impact on families, farms, and programs and recognized volunteers who contributed time, resources, and supplies to flood relief efforts.
In July, over 3,000 pounds of meat, $9,000 in gift cards, and 150 toiletry packs reached Hill Country communities with the assistance of the Gourmet Wranglers. Local volunteer fire departments distributed these items to families and first responders.
The Rodeo also supported flood relief through volunteer efforts, including search and rescue operations and supply donations, and facilitated the delivery of student artwork from the Western Art Academy in Kerrville to families affected by the floods.