Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced a $4,000 contribution to the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund from KJZT Family Life, a 130-year-old fraternal benefit society. This donation supports Texas farmers and ranchers as they rebuild after disasters like the Panhandle wildfires.

"I’d like to thank KJZT Family Life for their generous STAR Fund donation," said Commissioner Miller. "This donation goes straight to the heart of what the STAR Fund is all about—helping our Texas farmers and ranchers rebuild after disasters like the Panhandle wildfires. With every dollar, we're shouldering the burden alongside those who feed and clothe us, making sure they have the support they need to get back on their feet and keep Texas agriculture strong."

Founded in 1894, KJZT Family Life has a history of supporting Texas communities. Their chapters across the state consistently donate money and volunteer time for local causes. Central Texas KJZT Chapter 93 dedicated significant effort to raise funds for this cause.

"The recent devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle became an important fundraising project for our KJZT Society, as many of our Czech ancestors in Texas were farmers, and current members of our society still maintain these family farms in Central Texas today," said KJZT Chapter President Laura Duckworth.

The STAR Fund, administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), provides financial assistance to agricultural producers who have suffered losses from natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.

Panhandle farmers and ranchers are dealing with recovery costs as they rebuild structures, repair fences, and replace equipment lost in the Smokehouse Creek wildfire—the largest agricultural disaster in Texas history with $123 million in estimated losses. Hundreds of homes, farms, and ranches were burned; thousands of cattle were lost; and many agricultural families face a long road to full recovery.