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]

COMMISSIONER MILLER PROMOTES A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR FELLOW TEXANS
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has announced the second annual Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Farm Fresh Challenge, hosted by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), starts today and will take place throughout the month of March. After a successful inaugural CACFP Farm Fresh Challenge in 2019, this year’s challenge will further the Commissioner’s efforts to promote locally grown food beyond Texas school nutrition programs to include afterschool programs, and child care and adult day care facilities. TDA’s Farm Fresh Challenge is a fun and engaging way to encourage the use of locally grown foods and garden-based learning activities in CACFP and to take nutritional awareness to more Texans statewide.  [More]

FIRST ANNUAL TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY GO TEXAN GIFT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller proudly releases the 2020 Texas Independence Day Gift Guide to help Texans find quality handcrafted items made right here in the great State of Texas. The electronic publication is available for free at the link below and on the GO TEXAN website.  [More]

TDA OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY LAND HERITAGE RECOGNITION
AUSTIN – Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is proud to invite Texas farmers and ranchers to apply for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Family Land Heritage (FLH) program, which pays tribute to families who have kept their land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years. As TDA continues this proud tradition of honoring true Lone Star pioneers, families are asked to submit their applications for recognition in the 2020 FLH registry by May 1, 2020.  [More]

STATEMENT FROM COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ON USMCA SIGNING
“Time to buy a bigger tractor, because the USMCA is going to be great for agriculture. More trade, fairer trade and bigger markets are all music to the ears of ag producers here in Texas and around the country. When Texas farmers and ranchers win here at home, America wins around the world.”  [More]