COMMISSIONER MILLER ENCOURAGES TEXANS TO APPLY FOR SECOND ROUND OF TDA’S EVENT GRANT FUNDING
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is currently accepting applications for round two of the GO TEXAN Event Grants, a program that provides funding to GO TEXAN partners that host public events to promote Texas products and businesses. Cities, communities, and organizations are encouraged to apply for GO TEXAN Event Grant funding for events happening from May 1 thru the end of 2021. Applications must be submitted by May 15, 2021.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER HONORS SCHOOL LUNCH HEROES FOR EFFORTS DURING UNPRECEDENTED ACADEMIC YEAR
AUSTIN– Throughout this school year, Texas school nutrition professionals have served healthy meals to ensure students can access the nutrition they need during challenging times. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is dedicating School Lunch Hero Day on May 7 to honoring their tireless efforts as they continue finding innovative ways to provide meals in any academic setting.  [More]

2021 ANNUAL FAMILY LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM OPEN TO APPLICANTS
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.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER KICKS OFF 2021 TEXAS FARM FRESH JUMP WITH JILL DIGITAL TOUR
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.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES SPECIAL SPRING FARM FRESH CHALLENGE FOR NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN TEXAS
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.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES GENEROUS DONATION TO AG RELIEF FROM FARM CREDIT ORGANIZATIONS
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.  [More]

TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER LAYS OUT PLAN TO AVOID FUTURE POWER SYSTEM FAILURE
(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.  [More]

STATE OF TEXAS AGRICULTURE RELIEF FUND AVAILABLE FOR TX FARMERS, RANCHERS
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.  [More]

OPINION: WARMTH IN THE COLD - TEXANS HELPING TEXANS
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.  [More]

TEXAS AG COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ISSUES WARNING ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
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.  [More]