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STAR Fund - Helping Texas Farmers and Ranchers Recover from Disaster

Background 
Many of our fellow Texans are in need of a helping hand. Texas Agriculture Farmers, Rancher, producers and agribusiness owners are rebuilding and working towards picking up the pieces after all of these natural disasters. As natural disasters continue to impact Texas farmers and ranchers, the need for donations continues. 

The Fund 
The STAR Fund (State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund) was created solely with monetary donations from private individuals and companies. STAR Fund money may be used to assist farmers and ranchers in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief. If you’d like to help folks impacted by the wildfire, floods or tornadoes, consider making a donation to the State of Texas Agriculture Relief, or STAR Fund. 

Assistance
We are Texans, and when disaster strikes, we rise up to help our neighbors. The STAR Fund is one way to do that. TDA is offering a cost share (50% of eligible expense) to qualified agricultural producers not to exceed $4,000 per applicant. Example:  A producer would need to submit documentation for $2,000 of eligible expenses to receive $1,000 in reimbursement. STAR Fund money may be used to assist farmers and ranchers in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief costs needed to rebuild their producer operations. If the Farmer and Rancher’s county is listed the Texas Governor’s declaration of disaster, they have 60 days from the date of his proclamation to turn in an application. “Every day, we depend on farmers and ranchers to provide our families with the healthy food and warm clothes that sustains our lives, and now is the time for Texas producers to lean on us,” Commissioner Miller said. “This is not a hand out, rather it’s a helping hand. I hope people will take advantage of these funds if you need them.” Funds are not intended to compensate individuals or businesses for losses incurred, but to assist agriculture producers in cost-sharing some of the unexpected expenses associated with the repair or replacement of items necessary for their agricultural operation. See the application for more information.

Eligibility
Texas Agriculture Farmers, Rancher, producers and agribusiness owners will be required to complete an application and present such information as copies of invoices, proof of payment and proof agricultural loss specifically attributed to the specific natural disaster identified by the Texas Governors Disaster Declaration, property identification number, and other records needed by the department to determine eligibility. 
  • Funding Assistance Contact information

Mary Davison - Primary Contact
Grant Specialist
(512) 463-9932

Brenda Tharp
Grant Coordinator
(512) 463-6695

Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov

 

Donations

To make a donation via check please send it to the 
following address: 

STAR Fund
Texas Department of Agriculture
1700 North Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701


To Donate by PayPal
 
 

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“Every day, we depend on farmers and ranchers to provide our families with the healthy food and warm clothes that sustains our lives, and now is the time for Texas producers to lean on us. This is not a hand out, rather it’s a helping hand. I hope my fellow farmers and rancher will take advantage of these funds if you need them.”

- Commissioner Sid Miller
 
 
Current Disaster Declarations

March 11, 2017, Wildfire Disaster Declaration (click here to see copy of declaration)
Applications deadline for the following counties is June 2, 2017 by 5:00 PM central time.
EXTENDED Due Date July 18, 2017 by 5:00 PM central time.

  • Gray,
  • Hemphill,
  • Lipscomb,
  • Ochiltree,
  • Roberts, and
  • Wheeler.

May 1, 2017, Tornado  Disaster Declaration (click here to see copy of declaration)
Applications deadline for the following counties is July 24, 2017 by 5:00 PM central time.
EXTENDED Due Date September 5, 2017 by 5:00 PM central time.

  • Henderson,
  • Rains, and
  • Van Zandt.

STAR FUND - APPLICATION
STAR Fund application
Submit application to Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov


Other Resources
SBA - Disaster Loan Assistance
FSA - Disaster Assistance Program

 
© 2017 Texas Department of Agriculture
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