Texas Farm Bureau recognizes Burns for legislative efforts to protect agriculture

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) recognized State Rep. DeWayne Burns of Cleburne for being a strong champion for Texas agriculture in the Texas Legislature.

Burns received the S.M. True Agricultural Champion Award in a special presentation during TFB’s 90th Annual Meeting today in Frisco.

“Rep. Burns worked to protect the future of agriculture by enshrining the right to farm and ranch in the Texas Constitution,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “This award celebrates individuals who do something exceptional to benefit agriculture and rural Texas, and Rep. Burns did just that with the right to farm and ranch constitutional amendment and state legislation.”

Burns was first elected to represent House District 58 in 2014. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to support farmers and ranchers.

“You must have a legislator who partners with you and works with you as a team for agriculture and rural Texas. That legislator, and champion for agriculture and rural Texas, is Rep. Burns,” Boening said.

The right to farm and ranch constitutional amendment passed with 79% voter approval. Farm Bureau’s grassroots efforts contributed greatly to the success of the campaign, Boening said. But he noted the leadership and commitment of Burns in championing the right to farm effort was a major factor, as well.

“I had the privilege of growing up in rural Texas. The rights, priorities and values of rural communities and families are near and dear to my heart. It was my honor to author, carry and pass the legislation that put the right to farm constitutional amendment on the ballot in November. Traveling the state over the last several months, gathering and engaging with folks from all walks of life, in order to pass our amendment, was demanding yet worth every minute. Make no mistake, our right to farm amendment passed because hard working Texans across the state, like my fellow Farm Bureau members, engaged in the process, spread the message and showed up at the polls,” Burns said. “I am truly humbled, yet so honored, to receive the S.M. True Agricultural Champion Award. God has blessed me beyond measure. My many friends in the Farm Bureau are counted among those blessings. May we continue to seek God’s will each day and serve as we are called. Thank you again for this incredible award.”

The award is named in honor of former TFB President S.M. True Jr. and was established in 2011.

Burns is the only legislator to receive the prestigious award twice. He was recognized for his efforts to reform eminent domain legislation in 2021.