News
Your Landownership Experience Matters: TASFRL and HARC Invite Community Input Through a Landowner Questionnaire
July 7, 2026
Author: TASFRL Team
Every acre of land carries a story.
For many landowners, farmers, ranchers, and rural families, land is more than property. It represents family history, stewardship, generational responsibility, economic opportunity, and a future worth protecting.
Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners (TASFRL), in partnership with HARC, is inviting landowners, farmers, ranchers, and families across Texas to complete a short landowner questionnaire.
This questionnaire is designed to help TASFRL better understand the needs, challenges, and priorities of the communities we serve, especially those working to retain land, address heirs’ property concerns, build generational wealth, and strengthen long-term land stewardship.
- Why This Questionnaire Matters
Landowners and rural families often face complex challenges that are not always visible from the outside.
These challenges may include unclear titles, heirs’ property issues, property taxes, development pressure, succession planning, limited access to legal resources, limited technical assistance, and the ongoing responsibility of maintaining land across generations.
The questionnaire gives landowners, farmers, ranchers, and families an opportunity to share their perspective directly.
Your responses can help TASFRL better understand:
What landownership challenges communities are experiencing
What resources landowners and families may need
What topics should be prioritized in future outreach
What kinds of education and technical assistance may be most helpful
How TASFRL can better support land retention and long-term stewardship efforts
This is a data-gathering phase that will help shape future outreach, listening sessions, education, and community support.
- Who Should Complete the Questionnaire?
This questionnaire is intended for people who have experience, interest, or connection to landownership, farming, ranching, heirs’ property, or rural land stewardship.
You are encouraged to complete the questionnaire if you are a :
Landowner
Farmer
Rancher
Rural family member
Land steward
Person working to retain family land
Person affected by heirs’ property or succession planning challenges
Community member connected to land retention, agriculture, forestry, or rural development
Whether your family has owned land for generations, recently acquired land, manages working land, or is facing uncertainty around inheritance or land access, your insight is valuable.
- What the Questionnaire Focuses On
The landowner questionnaire focuses on several key areas related to land retention and community support, including :
Landownership
Heirs’ property retention
Generational wealth
Succession planning
Community resource needs
Access to education, outreach, and technical assistance
Barriers that may affect long-term land stewardship
The goal is not only to collect responses, but to better understand what support may be needed in the future.
- Privacy Note
The questionnaire does not request personally identifiable information.
TASFRL encourages participants to share their perspective in a way that helps inform future outreach and support efforts while respecting community trust and privacy.
- How Your Input Will Help
The information gathered through this questionnaire may help guide the next phase of TASFRL’s outreach work.
After responses are collected and reviewed, the insights may help inform:
Future community outreach
Educational programming
Technical assistance priorities
Land retention support
Virtual listening sessions
In-person listening sessions
County-by-county outreach planning
This means your response can help TASFRL better understand where support is needed, what issues are most urgent, and how future programs can be shaped around real community needs.
- Take the Questionnaire
Your landownership experience matters.
If you are a landowner, farmer, rancher, rural family member, or community member connected to land stewardship, we invite you to complete the questionnaire and share your insight.
Complete the Landowner Questionnaire:
www.tasfrl.org/tasfrl-in-partnership-with-harc
Your input can help strengthen land retention efforts and support future outreach for landowners, farmers, ranchers, and families across Texas.
- About TASFRL
Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners (TASFRL) supports sustainable land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, land retention, succession planning, and education for small farmers, ranchers, landowners, and rural communities.
Guided by the vision Inclusive Roots. Regenerative Futures., TASFRL works to help families protect land, strengthen rural communities, and support working landscapes for future generations.
Other News
Your Landownership Experience Matters: TASFRL and HARC Invite Community Input Through a Landowner Questionnaire
Every acre of land carries a story. For many landowners, farmers, ranchers, and rural families, land is more than property. It represents family history, stewardship, generational responsibility, economic opportunity, and a future worth protecting. Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners (TASFRL), in partnership with HARC, is inviting landowners, farmers, ranchers, and families across Texas to complete a short landowner questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to help TASFRL better understand the needs, challenges, and priorities of the communities we serve, especially those working to retain land, address heirs’ property concerns, build generational wealth, and strengthen long-term land stewardship. Why This Questionnaire Matters Landowners and rural families often face complex challenges that are not always visible from the outside. These challenges may include unclear titles, heirs’ property issues, property taxes, development pressure, succession planning, limited access to legal resources, limited technical assistance, and the ongoing responsibility of maintaining land across generations. The questionnaire gives landowners, farmers, ranchers, and families an opportunity to share their perspective directly. Your responses can help TASFRL better understand: What landownership challenges communities are experiencing What resources landowners and families may need What topics should be prioritized in future outreach What kinds of education and technical assistance may be most helpful How TASFRL can better support land retention and long-term stewardship efforts This is a data-gathering phase that will help shape future outreach, listening sessions, education, and community support. Who Should Complete the Questionnaire? This questionnaire is intended for people who have experience, interest, or connection to landownership, farming, ranching, heirs’ property, or rural land stewardship. You are encouraged to complete the questionnaire if you are a : Landowner Farmer Rancher Rural family member Land steward Person working to retain family land Person affected by heirs’ property or succession planning challenges Community member connected to land retention, agriculture, forestry, or rural development Whether your family has owned land for generations, recently acquired land, manages working land, or is facing uncertainty around inheritance or land access, your insight is valuable. What the Questionnaire Focuses On The landowner questionnaire focuses on several key areas related to land retention and community support, including : Landownership Heirs’ property retention Generational wealth Succession planning Community resource needs Access to education, outreach, and technical assistance Barriers that may affect long-term land stewardship The goal is not only to collect responses, but to better understand what support may be needed in the future. Privacy Note The questionnaire does not request personally identifiable information. TASFRL encourages participants to share their perspective in a way that helps inform future outreach and support efforts while respecting community trust and privacy. How Your Input Will Help The information gathered through this questionnaire may help guide the next phase of TASFRL’s outreach work. After responses are collected and reviewed, the insights may help inform: Future community outreach Educational programming Technical assistance priorities Land retention support Virtual listening sessions In-person listening sessions County-by-county outreach planning This means your response can help TASFRL better understand where support is needed, what issues are most urgent, and how future programs can be shaped around real community needs. Take the Questionnaire Your landownership experience matters. If you are a landowner, farmer, rancher, rural family member, or community member connected to land stewardship, we invite you to complete the questionnaire and share your insight. Complete the Landowner Questionnaire: www.tasfrl.org/tasfrl-in-partnership-with-harc Your input can help strengthen land retention efforts and support future outreach for landowners, farmers, ranchers, and families across Texas. About TASFRL Texas AgriForestry Small Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners (TASFRL) supports sustainable land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, land retention, succession planning, and education for small farmers, ranchers, landowners, and rural communities. Guided by the vision Inclusive Roots. Regenerative Futures., TASFRL works to help families protect land, strengthen rural communities, and support working landscapes for future generations.
TASFRL Team
Jul 7, 2026
Is Your Land Ready for Regeneration? A Practical Readiness Guide for Landowners
Introduction In recent years, regenerative land management has gained attention as a way to restore soil health, improve water retention, and build long-term resilience for farms and ranches. Many landowners are eager to adopt regenerative practices immediately, hoping for quick improvements. However, not all land is ready to regenerate at the same pace. Regenerative practices are not about speed they are about timing, awareness, and responsiveness to land conditions. Before adopting regenerative methods, the most important question is not what practice to apply, but whether the land is ready. What Does Land Readiness Mean? Land readiness refers to a landowner’s understanding of their current soil condition, vegetation cover, water movement, and management capacity. It does not require perfect soil or ideal pasture conditions. Readiness is about awareness recognizing what the land is communicating and responding accordingly. The Regenerative Readiness Checklist 1. Soil Condition Healthy regeneration begins below the surface. Ask yourself: Does the soil erode easily after rainfall? Is the soil compacted or slow to absorb water? Does the soil appear low in organic matter? Poor infiltration and erosion often indicate that the soil needs recovery before intensive regenerative practices are introduced. 2. Vegetation and Ground Cover Ground cover protects soil and supports biological activity. Ask yourself: Is bare soil frequently visible? Does vegetation grow unevenly across the field? Are invasive or undesirable plants dominant? Bare soil is not a failure it is a signal that recovery is needed. 3. Water and Drainage Water movement reflects soil health. Ask yourself: Does water run off quickly or soak into the soil? Are there puddles or standing water after rain? Is water availability consistent throughout the season? Healthy land absorbs water efficiently and releases it slowly over time. 4. Livestock and Grazing Pressure (If Applicable) Animals influence land health through timing and movement. Ask yourself: Do animals remain in one area for extended periods? Is there sufficient rest time for pasture recovery? Does the land appear overgrazed or stressed? Livestock can regenerate land or degrade it depending on management. 5. Management and Observation Regenerative systems rely on observation and adjustment. Ask yourself: Do you regularly walk and observe your land? Do you track rainfall, seasonal changes, or plant response? Are you prepared to implement gradual changes? Regenerative practices require patience, learning, and adaptability. Common Signs Your Land Is Ready Some indicators suggest land is beginning to support regenerative efforts: Improved water infiltration Presence of soil life such as earthworms and insects Increasing plant diversity Willingness of the landowner to observe and adapt Readiness includes both land condition and management mindset. Common Signs Your Land Needs Preparation First Some land requires foundational work before full regeneration: Severe erosion or constant runoff Large areas of exposed soil Extreme overgrazing with no recovery periods Lack of basic rotation or management structure Preparation is still progress. Start Small: Regeneration Is a Process Regenerative land management does not require immediate, large-scale change. Many landowners begin with: Small rotational grazing areas Simple cover crop trials Test plots or demonstration paddocks Gradual implementation allows land and management systems to adapt together. How TASFRL Supports Landowners TASFRL works alongside landowners by providing: Practical education and guidance Field-based insights Community knowledge sharing Adaptive land management support Our approach emphasizes long-term stewardship rather than rapid adoption. Conclusion Regenerative practices are most effective when landowners listen first to their soil, their water, their vegetation, and their capacity to manage change. The right time to begin regeneration is an informed time. References Teague, W. R., et al. (2013). The Role of Ruminants in Reducing Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint in North America. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Savory, A. (2016). Holistic Management: A Commonsense Revolution to Restore Our Environment. Island Press. USDA NRCS (2015). Soil Health and Regenerative Practices. Lal, R. (2020). Regenerative Agriculture for Food and Climate. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.
TASFRL Team
Jun 18, 2026
The Most Common Goat Diseases (and How to Handle Them)
Goats are generally resilient animals, but like any livestock, they are still vulnerable to a range of health issues. For many farmers and landowners, one of the biggest challenges is not knowing what to look for or what to do when something goes wrong. Understanding the most common goat diseases is not just about treatment. It’s about early detection, better decision-making, and protecting the long-term health of your herd. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common goat diseases, their symptoms, and practical steps you can take to manage them. Internal Parasites (Worms) One of the most common and serious health issues in goats is internal parasites, especially gastrointestinal worms. Signs to Watch For: Weight loss Pale eyelids (anemia) Diarrhea Weakness How to Handle It: Use targeted deworming (avoid overuse) Rotate grazing areas Monitor herd regularly using simple checks like eyelid color (FAMACHA method) Early detection is critical parasite issues can escalate quickly. Coccidiosis Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that commonly affects young goats (kids), especially in stressful or crowded conditions. Signs to Watch For: Diarrhea (sometimes with blood) Dehydration Poor growth Weakness How to Handle It: Keep living areas clean and dry Avoid overcrowding Use preventive treatments when necessary This disease spreads quickly, so hygiene is key. Pneumonia Respiratory infections can affect goats in various climates, especially during sudden weather changes. Signs to Watch For: Coughing Nasal discharge Labored breathing Fever How to Handle It: Provide proper shelter and ventilation Reduce stress factors Seek veterinary care early if symptoms worsen Pneumonia can become serious if left untreated. Foot Rot Foot rot is a bacterial infection that affects a goat’s hooves, often in wet or muddy conditions. Signs to Watch For: Limping Swollen or infected hooves Strong odor from the hoof How to Handle It: Keep ground conditions as dry as possible Trim hooves regularly Use foot baths if needed Prevention is easier than treatment. Bloat Bloat occurs when gas builds up in a goat’s stomach, often due to diet issues. Signs to Watch For: Swollen left side of abdomen Restlessness Difficulty breathing How to Handle It: Avoid sudden diet changes Introduce new feed gradually Monitor grazing on rich pasture Bloat can become life-threatening quickly, so fast action is important. Mastitis Mastitis is an infection of the udder, commonly seen in dairy goats. Signs to Watch For: Swollen or hard udder Abnormal milk Pain or sensitivity How to Handle It: Maintain proper milking hygiene Monitor udder health regularly Seek treatment early Nutritional Deficiencies Not all health issues come from disease some are caused by improper nutrition. Signs to Watch For: Poor coat condition Slow growth Weakness Reproductive issues How to Handle It: Provide balanced feed Ensure access to minerals Monitor overall diet quality Final Thoughts Healthy goats are the result of consistent care, observation, and informed decisions. Most goat diseases can be managed or even prevented with early awareness and simple, practical steps. At TASFRL, we believe that strong livestock management is part of responsible land stewardship. Supporting the health of your animals means supporting the sustainability of your land and community. References To deepen your understanding of goat health and livestock management, we recommend exploring these trusted resources: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Animal Health Resourceshttps://www.usda.gov Penn State Extension — Goat Production & Healthhttps://extension.psu.edu/animals-and-livestock/goats University of Maryland Extension — Goat Health Managementhttps://extension.umd.edu Merck Veterinary Manual — Goat Diseases and Conditionshttps://www.merckvetmanual.com American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC)https://www.wormx.info
TASFRL Team
Jun 18, 2026