STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER MILLER HONORING FRITCH FIRE CHIEF ZEB SMITH AND OUR FRONTLINE HEROES IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of our courageous frontline heroes in the Texas Panhandle. Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith made the ultimate sacrifice while battling to contain the devastation plaguing our community."  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ISSUES UPDATE ON HISTORIC PANHANDLE WILDFIRES
Friday, March 1, 2024, AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an update on the Texas Panhandle wildfires, expressing deep concern for the affected communities and the agricultural impact. The Panhandle region is facing significant losses, impacting farmers and ranchers profoundly. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest recorded in Texas, the second largest fire in the nation’s history, and is larger than the top 20 largest wildfires in California over the past 90 years. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) actively supports farmers, ranchers, and residents impacted by the catastrophic wildfires through agricultural relief funds, essential hay and feed resources, the AgriStress Helpline, and feeding programs for affected families.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER KICKS OFF NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Friday, March 1, 2024, AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced schools statewide are gearing up to celebrate National School Breakfast Week from March 4th to 8th under the theme Surf’s Up with School Breakfast. Collaborating closely with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), school nutrition teams across Texas are set to deliver approximately 1.7 million nutritious breakfasts to students daily through the National School Breakfast Program. Throughout the week-long celebration, schools will celebrate in the Surf’s Up spirit using materials provided by TDA, designed to spotlight the nutritious breakfast options available each morning in the cafeteria.  [More]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER STANDS WITH FARMERS AND RANCHERS DURING DEVASTATING PANHANDLE WILDFIRES
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced today his commitment to providing unwavering support to agricultural producers as they deal with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, one of five active fires scorching the region, has become the state's second largest in history, having burned over 850,000 acres with minimal containment. Additionally, several grain and seed operations have reported total losses. Commissioner Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are ready to provide vital assistance to Texans in need through agricultural relief funds, essential hay and feed resources, and feeding programs for affected families.  [More]

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HOSTS BI-ANNUAL QUILT COMPETITION
Thursday, February 15, 2024, AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are thrilled to announce the unveiling of the 2024 Quilt Block Competition. This year’s theme, “Texas Agriculture Matters,” celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of the Lone Star State.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER CONTINUES TO SUPPORT HOCKLEY COUNTY IN FIGHT AGAINST BEETLE INFESTATION
Monday, February 12, 2024, Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is actively collaborating alongside city officials to provide support to Hockley County residents. The recent resurgence of the red flour beetle in Levelland—initially reported in August 2023—has become a growing concern. Concerted efforts by TDA and local officials previously achieved significant headway in decreasing the infestation during cooler weather conditions. With warmer temperatures looming, TDA has implemented pest management strategies to halt a reoccurrence of the red flour beetle invasion swiftly and effectively  [More]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER RENEWS HIS SUPPORT FOR NEWLY REGISTERED FERAL HOG BAIT
Thursday, February 8, 2024, AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller renewed his support for a newly-approved toxicant, Kaput Feral Hog Bait. Kaput will aid Texas farmers, ranchers, and landowners in helping mitigate Texas’ growing feral hog problem. The damage caused by feral hogs, resulting in billions of dollars of long-term economic losses across the state, has been a rising concern since 1982.   [More]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER GETS RID OF PESTICIDES THE TDA WAY
Friday, February 2, 2024, AUSTIN- The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service joined forces on Wednesday, January 31, to host a pesticide waste collection and container recycling event in Robstown, Texas where Commissioner Sid Miller welcomed each attendee. This free public event allowed agriculture producers to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides and pesticide containers.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ENCOURAGES ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS TO APPLY FOR SPONSORSHIP OF SUMMER NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN 2024
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is accepting applications for its 2024 Summer Meal Programs. These programs connect eligible agencies and organizations with federal funds to provide healthy meals for Texas children who may not always have access to good nutrition when school cafeterias are closed for summer.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ENCOURAGES ELIGIBLE FAMILIES TO APPLY FOR THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM
Friday, January 19, 2024, AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller proudly invites Texas farmers and ranchers to apply for recognition at the Texas Department of Agriculture's (TDA) annual Family Land Heritage Ceremony (FLH). This year marks the 50th anniversary of FLH, a significant milestone for TDA. Since 1974, TDA has hosted a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol to celebrate the families who have passed down their proud Texas legacy from generation to generation, and who continue to inspire Texans with their commitment and endurance. This program pays tribute to families who have kept their land in continuous agricultural production for at least one hundred years. TDA requests that qualified families submit their applications for recognition in the 2024 FLH ceremony by Friday, May 31, 2024.  [More]