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Wildfire Assistance

Eligibility

An eligible entity is an agriculture business/operation/ranch/farm located in a county declared a disaster by the Texas Governor. Applicants should submit documentation for agricultural related expenses not paid for by insurance or other governmental sources for costs directly related to rebuilding from the natural disaster. Applicant must demonstrate that expenses incurred were related to agriculture production and directly caused by the disaster. If an entity/business/operation/ranch/farm is owned by more than one person, only one application may be submitted. An entity/business/operation/ranch/farm is eligible for only one single award every 24 months, regardless of the number of owners.

Agriculture business means - a business that is or proposes to be engaged in producing, processing, marketing, or exporting an agricultural product.
For-Profit/Commercial Production and Non-profit entities are eligible. Backyard gardens and hobby farms are not eligible.
Agricultural product means - an agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, or vegetable product, bees, honey, fish or other seafood, planting seed, livestock, a livestock product, a forestry product, poultry, or a poultry product. Person means one property/entity/owner.

Current Disaster Declarations

Available Assistance
updated: 10/21/2024

Mason County Wildfire critical fire weather conditions which began on August 24, 2024, and wildfires that began on August 24, 2024. Application Deadline, January 13, 2025, by 11:59 PM central time

CLOSED

Panhandle Wildfires - critical fire weather conditions which began on February 23, 2024, and wildfires that began on February 26, 2024. See disaster proclamation for eligible counties. Application Deadline, July 15, 2024, by 11:59 PM central time. Extended to September 30, 2024, by 11:59 PM Disaster Declaration Amendment June 26, 2024
How to apply?

There are two options to access the application:

1. Online- application materials
2. Contact STARFund@TexasAgriculture.gov for a paper copy of the application.

Overview of the online process:

Note: SAM/UEI/DUNS number is not required to apply for this grant. See application instruction for guidance.

Assistance Amount

How much will STAR Fund reimburse me?

On April 22, 2024, Commissioner Miller approved a cost-share of up to 80% of eligible expenses to qualified agricultural producers, not to exceed $8,000 per applicant. The following is an example of how the cost share is broken down. If an applicant has a total expense of $8750, for example, the maximum award would not exceed $7,000.

Total Ag Expenses	STAR Fund Payment	Applicant Share
$10,000.00+	$ 8,000.00	$2,000.00
$ 8,750.00	$ 7,000.00	$1,750.00
$ 7,500.00	$ 6,000.00	$1,500.00
$ 6,250.00	$ 5,000.00	$1,250.00
$ 5,000.00	$ 4,000.00	$1,000.00
$ 2,500.00	$ 2,000.00	$500.00