Janet Crozier was honored Feb. 26 with the Misti Talbert Community Champion Award for her efforts in establishing and growing the Lampasas Community Gardens. She is pictured here, center, standing next to her daughter who made the nomination and members of the Lampasas City Council.

Texas Farm Bureau has established the Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund to assist farmers and ranchers affected by the wildfires burning through the Panhandle area. More than 1 million acres have burned, causing devastation to towns, families and agriculture.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest regarding canning, food preservation and reducing food waste. Several factors contribute to this growing trend, the first being the liberal use of preservatives and additives in commercially processed food.

Lometa’s annual Diamondback Jubilee is a town tradition that has been threatened by a subpar number of rattlesnakes in the county. The snakes usually are showcased at the event.

Lampasas FFA member Saige Koger had a successful day last week at the San Antonio barrow show. She placed third with her animal in the crossbred class and was named champion exhibitor in the certified Texas-bred class. Koger is a senior at Lampasas High School.

A Kempner woman who gives away letters of affirmation recently received a return of the favor on Valentine’s Day. Megan Hanson said for the last four to five months, she’s been handing out letters of affirmation to random strangers in an effort to spread love and positivity.

The Kempner Volunteer Fire Department will host its 44th annual BBQ and Auction/Raffle fundraiser on April 27. The department is seeking commitments for dessert and auction item donations, as well as sponsors for the event.

If there is one thing most people can agree on, it is that the world has changed. Not only is it different from the one we grew up knowing, no matter what year that was, but the world continues to reshape itself at a dizzying pace.

In 1950, there were more than 40,000 American farmers and ranchers between the ages of 25 and 34. As of the last census of agriculture, that number has fallen to 18,000.

Clay Phillips of Farm Bureau Insurance offered mugs and gift cards to recognize the January educators of the month at Taylor Creek Elementary School. Pictured are, from left, Principal Shona Moore; Bailey Kleckner, teacher of the month; Phillips; Joni Barker, paraprofessional of the month; and Mark Sheppard, Taylor Creek’s assistant principal.