TEMPLE – The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) held a board meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023. During the meeting, action was taken to elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the board.
David Basinger of Deport was elected as Chairman of the TSSWCB. He previously served as Vice-Chairman of the board for the past two years. Basinger, who has been a member of the TSSWCB since 2018, runs 3,200 acres in the Sulphur River Bottom where he farms corn, soybeans, and hay.
Basinger also currently serves as Chairman of the Lamar Soil and Water Conservation, which he has been a member of for 21 years. He has previously served as President of the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts and a former President of the Northeast Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. David and his wife Connie have two sons and three granddaughters.
“It is a great honor to serve this agency and uphold its mission to promote and protect natural resources. I have the pleasure of working alongside a tremendous group of board members and staff. We will work hard to provide our local districts and landowners across Texas with the tools they need successfully conserve the natural resources of this great state for generations to come,” said Basinger.
Scott Buckles of Stratford was elected as Vice-Chairman of the TSSWCB. He was elected to the board representing Area I in 2011. In addition to his work on the board, he is Chairman of the Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District and has been a member since 1992.
As managing partner of Buckles Farms, Scott works alongside his family to produce corn, grain, sorghum, wheat, and stocker cattle. The family farm has been in operation since 1917. Scott is also co-owner and operator of a crop and aerial spraying service. When Scott has spare time, he builds and operates a 1/8th scale railroad and enjoys spending time in Red River, New Mexico. Scott and his wife Dana have 3 children, Carson, Haley, and Hunter.
Joining Buckles and Basinger on the TSSWCB are José Dodier Jr. of Zapata, Tina Y. Buford of Harlingen, Marty H. Graham of Rocksprings, and Barry Mahler of Iowa Park.
Established by the Texas Legislature in 1939, the TSSWCB is governed by seven board members, all of which are actively involved in agriculture or silviculture. Five of the board members are voted in by a delegation of their local peers, and two board members are appointed by the Governor of Texas.
TSSWCB works in conjunction with local SWCDs across Texas to encourage the wise and productive use of natural resources. TSSWCB is the lead agency for planning, implementing, and managing coordinated natural resource conservation programs for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint sources of water pollution. TSSWCB also works to ensure that the State’s network of over 2,000 flood control dams are protecting lives and property by providing operation, maintenance, and structural repair grants to local government sponsors.