Our History

 The name, Pineywoods Small Farmers, Ranchers and Landowners of Texas, is new but the work we do is well known.  That work started in Crockett, Texas in 1996 as a small group of nine African American farmers and ranchers who organized as the Houston County Chapter of the Texas Landowners Association.  The group’s president at that time was Mrs. Cather Marie Woods.  A second local group representing small farmers, the Southeast Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers (Region 2) was started about a year later under the leadership of Mr. Julius Clebourn.  The local groups became members of the parent organizations and worked very closely at the state level with the State Presidents Mr. Edward Cline (LAT) and Mr. Wade Ross (TSFR), respectively. 

 Both organizations worked diligently to ensure that the community farmers were made aware of services and resources that were available to them from the United States Department of Agriculture.  Meetings were held at Cather’s Barber Shop and later at Clebourn’s Funeral Home.  The groups of farmers were instrumental in calling out discriminatory practices in the governmental agencies and encouraged the other farmers to participate in the Black Farmers’ Lawsuit.  Some of them were awarded up to $50,000 in damages. 

 The organizations grew and expanded their services.  The members held a wide range of activities including field days, workshops and seminars on a variety of topics that would benefit the farmers.   Because of the efforts of the organizations, and with the assistance of Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University, the farmers were able to participate in grass experiments and other agricultural innovations.

 One of the most rewarding services provided was assisting our youth to get started in the farming and ranching industry.  We  encouraged them to participate in the Farm Services Youth Loan program and mentored them on how to run their businesses in a responsible and sustainable way.  Some of the youth who received the loans are still in business today and are sharing their success story of making a profit and repaying their loans as lessons learned. 

 To increase our efficiency and effectiveness, the two local organizations merged in 2017.  Our name may have changed but our passion to serve has not.   We continue to provide outreach workshops, seminars, instructive field days, conferences and support for our youth.   We are all in this together and are always looking to leverage our existing partnerships and create new ones that will help us bring the information to the producers in a way that they can understand and use it to become more profitable.  Pineywoods Small Farmers, Ranchers and Landowners of Texas, Community Based Organization remains committed to helping our small farmers, ranchers, landowners and forest landowners achieve success. 

• Organize instructive field days, workshops and conferences on best practices in land ownership, agriculture and forestry
• Provide educational opportunities focused on delivering hands on practical experiences for the landowner
• Offer information on resources available through governmental programs and a roadmap to navigate the application process through a one stop shop  
• Develop strong partnerships with United States Department of Agriculture agencies, county and local governments, extension agents, universities, private businesses and community leaders
• Sponsor youth in agriculture and their pursuit of higher education in any field of study supporting the sustainability of agriculture and the protection of landowners’ property rights 
• Promote good stewardship in agricultural practices and land ownership