USDA "Farmers to Families Food Box" Program Announced
On April 17, 2020, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue launched the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Through this program USDA will partner with regional and local distributors, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service entities, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER TO RURAL HOSPITALS: HELP IS ON THE WAY
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced his office has secured emergency federal funding to help rural Texas hospitals struggling in the COVI9-10 pandemic. Beginning next Wednesday, April 22, TDA will distribute approximately $90,000 per hospital to over 130 rural hospitals in Texas.  [More]

TDA EXTENDS APPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY LAND HERITAGE RECOGNITION
AUSTIN – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the 2020 Family Land Heritage application deadline has been extended to July 1, 2020. With many county offices closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this extension is intended to allow families additional time to gather the documents necessary to apply.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ISSUES FIRST HEMP LICENSE IN TEXAS
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the first Texas industrial hemp license was issued earlier this week to a farmer in Killeen, Texas. The license grants this farmer the opportunity to grow hemp in Texas for one year. As a part of the application process, the applicant specified a facility where the hemp will be grown. This first license represents the long-awaited launch of the hemp industry in Texas following the passage of the Farm Bill by Congress in 2018.  [More]

TDA RECEIVES IMPORTANT USDA FLEXIBILITY ON SCHOOL MEALS
AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller tonight announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has received important approval on waivers designed to loosen federal meal program mandates so Texas schools can continue to provide meals during the COVID-19 emergency. One of the most important waivers will now allow parents to pick up meals for their children without the children being present.  [More]

OPINION: NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK 2020
With COVID-19 continuing to impact communities across the country, now more than ever, we need to recognize the importance of the agriculture industry. Sunday, March 22nd marks the beginning of National Agriculture Week and it’s the perfect time to remind our fellow Americans of the importance of the agriculture industry. It’s no accident Americans enjoy the safest, most affordable and most abundant food supply in the world.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER REQUESTS GOVERNOR TO LIST AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has requested Texas Governor Greg Abbot recognize the agriculture industry as an essential industry which provides a service indispensable in the effort to protect our nation’s food supply. In a letter to Governor Abbott, Commissioner Miller stressed the significant role farmers and ranchers play during the COVID-19 health emergency. Miller asked the Governor to provide protection and assistance to the agriculture industry during this global pandemic as an industry that is needed now, more than ever.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER HAS REQUESTED ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ASSIST RURAL TEXAS HOSPITALS
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has requested emergency funding for rural Texas hospitals from Texas Governor Greg Abbott as COVID-19 continues to impact the state. In a letter to Governor Abbott, Commissioner Miller emphasized the importance of preparing rural Texas hospitals for the coronavirus pandemic. The emergency funding will ease the financial impact caused by the local healthcare response to the virus and keep the doors open for the community. Rural hospitals are often the only critical care option for Texans in these communities.  [More]

Hemp Licensing Is Now Open
The online application for the Texas Industrial Hemp Program is now available.  [More]

Hemp Orientation Video is LIVE
(AUSTIN, TX) The Orientation Video required for licensure in the Texas Department of Agriculture's Industrial Hemp Program has been posted and is available for viewing.  [More]