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NOW OPEN FOR 2021 WINTER STORM
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The STAR Fund (State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund) was created by the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide relief Texas farmers and ranchers in times of disaster using monetary donations from private individuals and organizations.
STAR Fund is a reimbursement program designed to assist farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief.
If you’d like to help ag producers impacted by the recent 2021 winter storm or other disasters, consider making a donation to the STAR Fund.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
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DONATE ONLINE
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DONATE BY CHECK
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STAR Fund
Texas Department of Agriculture
1700 North Congress
Austin, Texas 78701
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Welcome to the Texas Department of Agriculture
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Howdy Neighbors!
You may not know it, but the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) touches your life almost every day. From the grocery store you visited today to the salsa you’re eating at dinner, TDA was there to help. From the healthy lunches at your child’s school to the scales used to weigh your luggage at the airport, TDA was there, too. From our role as the state consumer protection agency to administering school lunches and marketing Texas products, the TDA is a diverse and busy place. We work hard every day to serve you.
Since I was sworn into office in 2015, I’ve also worked diligently to make this agency better. Please take some time to browse our website and learn about the many ways we’re working better, faster and more efficiently for you. As always, it is my honor to serve as your Texas Agriculture Commissioner and remind you that Texas Agriculture Matters!
Your Servant,
Sid Miller
Texas Agriculture Commissioner
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The Latest Agency News
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2021 ANNUAL FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM OPEN TO APPLICANTS
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Friday, April 16, 2021, AUSTIN– Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller invited Texas farmers and ranchers to apply for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Family Land Heritage (FLH) program, which since 1974 has paid tribute to families who have kept their land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years. Families are asked to submit their applications for recognition in the 2021 FLH registry by Saturday, May 1, 2021. At the 46th annual recognition ceremony at the Texas Capitol this fall, Commissioner Miller will honor farms and ranches established in 1921 or earlier.
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COMMISSIONER MILLER KICKS OFF 2021 TEXAS FARM FRESH JUMP WITH JILL DIGITAL TOUR
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Friday, April 9, 2021, AUSTIN– Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that the Texas Farm Fresh Jump with Jill Tour returns to Texas schools this month and next in an exciting new format — all digital. Jump with Jill assemblies inspire audiences with fun lessons about healthy lifestyle choices and since 2015, the Texas Department of Agriculture has hosted the events for more than 100 Texas schools and thousands of students. This year, the high-energy digital tour will engage students and teachers through computer screens at 27 schools across Texas.
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COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES SPECIAL SPRING FARM FRESH CHALLENGE FOR NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN TEXAS
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Monday, April 5, 2021, AUSTIN– Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced April 12, 2021 will kick off the 2021 Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Spring Farm Fresh Challenge. Schools, child care providers, and adult care centers across Texas will celebrate Texas agriculture April 12 through May 14. TDA will recognize these nutrition program partners for serving Texas grown foods, teaching Texans about agriculture, and sharing their celebrations on social media.
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COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES GENEROUS DONATION TO AG RELIEF FROM FARM CREDIT ORGANIZATIONS
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Friday, March 5, 2021, AUSTIN- Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced Capital Farm Credit and multiple Farm Credit Associations have committed to a generous donation of $125,000 to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund.
Agriculture producers across the state were devastated by Winter Storm Uri, with losses expected in the billions of dollars. The STAR Fund provides Texas farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters with financial relief designed to get them back on their feet. The STAR Fund uses no state dollars, only donations from private individuals and organizations.
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TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER LAYS OUT PLAN TO AVOID FUTURE POWER SYSTEM FAILURE
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Friday, March 5, 2021, (AUSTIN) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller introduced a multi-step solution to the recent power system failure that caused millions of dollars of damage to the Texas agriculture industry. His Proper Oversight, Winterization and Electricity Reform (P.O.W.E.R.) Plan is a set of proposed reforms of the state electricity grid and the institutions responsible for its reliable and efficient operation.
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STATE OF TEXAS AGRICULTURE RELIEF FUND AVAILABLE FOR TX FARMERS, RANCHERS
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Thursday, February 25, 2021, AUSTIN- Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that the State of Texas Agriculture Relief, or STAR Fund, that his agency manages, now has almost $150,000 in donated funds available after a severe winter storm crippled the state ag industry and threatened the food supply chain last week.
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OPINION: WARMTH IN THE COLD - TEXANS HELPING TEXANS
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Friday, February 19, 2021, If 2020 was the year from hell, it looks like 2021 is the year hell froze over.
This last week has been very tough on Texans as multiple winter storms swept across the Lone Star State, dropping over 29 million Texans in the deep freeze. Millions endured a "white out", with historic, blistering cold, record snowfall, dangerous ice, closed schools, shuttered businesses and even closed churches. Over 4 million Texans lost power, many had no water, no natural gas and dwindling food supplies. All in the midst of a pandemic. Remember COVID-19?
It’s been a tough week. But I have never been prouder to be a Texan.
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TEXAS AG COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ISSUES WARNING ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
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Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a dire warning about the statewide impact of the winter storm on agriculture and the food supply chain. Farmers and ranchers across the state are seeing devastating effects from the cold weather on livestock, feed and agriculture products.
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2020 Year In Review for Texas Department of Agriculture
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Thursday, December 31, 2020, AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Agriculture, like so many Texans during this difficult time, experienced success and challenges throughout 2020. From the successful launch of the Industrial Hemp program in March to the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TDA continued its mission to protect Texas agriculture, provide food assistance to schools and communities, and promote Texas-made products and businesses – all while staff worked remotely.
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COMMISSIONER MILLER ASKS GOVERNOR ABBOTT TO UTILIZE UNSPENT CARES FUNDING
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Tuesday, December 15, 2020, AUSTIN- Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller respectfully requested Governor Abbott utilize unexpended State CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) funding to support Food Banks and Rural Hospitals statewide. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the State of Texas, Food Banks and Rural Hospitals continue to provide resources to assist the citizens of Texas. Unexpended CARES funding provided to the Governor’s Office will not be allowed to be expended after the December 31, 2020 expiration of the funding provided by the CARES Act.
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OPINION: THANKSGIVING: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Wednesday, November 25, 2020, As the holiday season rapidly approaches, we are once again reminded of the abundant blessings in our lives. However, this year’s turn of events has added a newfound sense of gratitude. I think we can agree 2020 surprised us all. COVID-19 arrived unexpectedly and life as we knew it changed in the blink of an eye. Thanks to this lousy virus, even Thanksgiving might look a little different for Texans this year. Just last week over 24,000 Texans lined up at The North Texas Foodbank ahead of the holidays.
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NEW GIFT GUIDE IS HERE!
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Are you proud to be a Texan? Would you like to be a Texan? Check out the new GO TEXAN Texas Independence Day Gift Guide! The Gift Guide features all sorts of Texas-themed products from right here in the Lone Star State.
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TDA supports communities that have been adversely impacted by natural disasters. Help Texans in need by making a donation to the STAR Fund today.
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Promoting the products, culture & communities that call Texas home
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Please find TDA on social media!
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