COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ANNOUNCES AGENCY PLAN TO ERADICATE THE RED FLOUR BEETLE INFESTATION IN EL PASO COUNTY
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is activating its Biosecurity Enforcement Division to address the growing threat of the Red Flour Beetle infestation in Socorro, Texas. This outbreak, linked to the spreading of nut hull material in the area, has raised serious concerns among local residents and surrounding communities in El Paso County.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF THE GO TEXAN WHISKEY TRAIL PODCAST
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, alongside the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Texas Whiskey Association, proudly launched the GO TEXAN Explores: Texas Whiskey Trail podcast at a special State Fair of Texas preview event Thursday, September 26, in TDA’s GO TEXAN Pavilion. The gathering celebrated Texas's vibrant whiskey culture, uniting whiskey enthusiasts, local distilleries, and supporters of Texas agriculture in a showcase of the state's rich distilling heritage.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ENCOURAGES NUTRITION PROGRAM PARTNERS TO SERVE UP TEXAS FARM FRESH
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller kicked off the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) 2024 Texas Farm Fresh Challenge. This annual event shines a spotlight on schools and childcare centers that go the extra mile by serving Texas-grown products, incorporating agricultural education, and sharing their efforts on social media. Aligning with National Farm to School Month, October in Texas is all about celebrating healthy school meals and honoring the hardworking farmers, ranchers, and producers who make it possible.  [More]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER INVITES ALL TEXANS TO THE GO TEXAN PAVILION AT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller invites Texans to the State Fair to experience the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) GO TEXAN Pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers. The Pavilion showcases the finest Texas-made products from GO TEXAN partners, offering a true taste of the Lone Star State.  [More]

CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM EXTENDS ACCESS TO HEALTHY MEALS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller encouraged Texans to explore the benefits of accessing nutritious meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers this federally funded program operating at approximately 13,000 sites in Texas, including adult day care centers, childcare centers, home-based day cares and afterschool programs. TDA and these partners are working to promote healthy lifestyles by ensuring eligible children and adults can enjoy nutritious free or reduced-price meals and snacks in CACFP.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ENCOURAGES TEXANS TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH BY HELPING OTHERS
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urges all Texans to recognize National Suicide Prevention Month by learning to recognize the signs of farm stress, supporting those who may be at risk, and helping to break the stigma around asking for help. He especially urged community leaders to step up and have open conversations about the critical importance of mental health, reminding Texans that the agricultural community is stronger when it stands united.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES AGRISAFE NETWORK’S “TEXAS PEACE OF MIND” CAMPAIGN AT STATE FAIR
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are proud to announce the launch of the "Texas Peace of Mind" campaign—a vital initiative dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of our state's farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Through TDA’s AgriStress Helpline, this campaign offers a lifeline to those who are the backbone of Texas agriculture.  [More]

STATEMENT BY TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ON ONLINE SCAMS TARGETING TEXANS
I urge every Texan to stay vigilant against scams and fraudulent activities. Unfortunately, criminals continue to prey upon hardworking Texans, often posing as government agencies or officials to steal your money or personal information. These deceitful schemes can come through phone calls, emails, or fake websites and social media accounts. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ANNOUNCES OVER $1.4 MILLION IN USDA FUNDING FOR TEXAS SPECIALTY CROPS
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller proudly announced that the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has secured over $1.4 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). This critical funding will be used to develop programs that strengthen Texas’s specialty crop industry, ensuring that our current and future producers have the resources and support they need to thrive in the Lone Star State.  [More]

OPINION: WATER FOR TEXANS, BY TEXANS: THE PATH TO SELF-RELIANCE
Water is the lifeblood of Texas agriculture, and nowhere is that more critical than in the Rio Grande Valley. For too long, we’ve been at the mercy of Mexico, waiting on them to deliver on empty promises stemming back to a water treaty negotiated in 1944 — eighty years ago!  Mexico has now fallen behind, once again, in providing more than 900,000 acre-feet, or about 1.1 billion cubic meters of water they owe to Texas and the U.S., and again, they’ve shown they can’t be trusted as reliable partners. It’s time to stop whining about it and act. Texans need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, take charge, and secure our water supply.  [More]