Commissioner Miller Announces Federal Hemp Rules Released
AUSTIN, TX - Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the USDA has released the interim final rules for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Program. These rules define the 2018 Farm Bill and serve as a framework for states like Texas that are planning to build an industrial hemp growing program. With these guidelines in place, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) can now submit a state hemp plan to USDA for approval.  [More]

MEDIA ADVISORY: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Aims To Expand Texas Trade With Visit To Vietnam
AUSTIN - Commissioner Miller will depart for an Agribusiness Trade Mission in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Friday, October 11. He will accompany the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Ted McKinney along with 15 delegation members; including 13 additional state agriculture departments.  [More]

Commissioner Miller Kicks Off Annual Farm Fresh Challenge For Schools In Texas
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today announced the start of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) annual Farm Fresh Challenge for Texas schools. Schools are encouraged to buy Texas grown foods, teach students about the importance of agriculture, and celebrate their activities on social media. More than 220 school districts and charter school organizations have pledged participation for 2019. The Farm Fresh Challenge takes place at participating National School Lunch Program schools throughout October.  [More]

Texas Department of Agriculture Connects Texans In Need With Healthy Meals In Child And Adult Care Food Program
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller reminds Texans that the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) offers nutritious meals to children and adults in need across the Lone Star State. Approximately 13,000 Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) partners at adult day care centers, child care centers and home-based day cares in Texas serve nutritious free or reduced priced meals through CACFP.  [More]

Sunset Advisory Commission Invites Public Input on the Texas Department of Agriculture
The Sunset Advisory Commission is reviewing the mission and performance of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)  [More]

Statement From Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller On EPA WOTUS Announcement
“Today, American farmers and ranchers are able to celebrate another triumph. I commend the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking action to repeal the onerous 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. We are one step closer to providing regulatory certainty to our nation's farmers ”  [More]

Commissioner Miller kicks off 2019 Texas Farm Fresh Jump with Jill Live Tour
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the return of the Texas Farm Fresh Jump with Jill Live Tour for the new school year. Since 2015, these Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) special events have inspired audiences with fun lessons about healthy lifestyle choices like good nutrition and exercise. The live-action nutrition assemblies will engage students at 20 schools in Northwest Texas this September and October, as well as visitors to the State Fair of Texas on October 14  [More]

Commissioner Sid Miller visits Houston to lend a hand in fight against dangerous citrus disease
AUSTIN — Friday, Commissioner Miller will visit the Houston area Friday to join agency inspectors in destroying a citrus tree infected with the contagious citrus canker disease. Beginning at 9 a.m. CT. Commissioner Miller will address the devastating damage the contagious plant disease can cause to the vital Texas citrus industry and the importance of stopping the invasive disease immediately. After comments, Commissioner Miller and TDA inspectors will begin the removal and destruction process of an infected tree at a residential home.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER SEEKS MEMBERS FOR NEW TEXAS OLIVE OIL ADVISORY BOARD
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the Texas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications to fill nine seats on the new Texas Olive Oil Advisory Board created by the Texas Legislature earlier this year. The new board will be responsible for developing a plan to promote and expand the growing olive oil industry in the State of Texas. Applications must be submitted to the agency by 5 p.m on Aug. 15, 2019.  [More]

OPINION: The Unknown Perot
As Texas and the nation mourns the loss of H. Ross Perot, many might remember him as a tech business tycoon, a quiet philanthropist, an unsuccessful candidate for President, or perhaps as an American patriot. But I’ll bet you there’s one word that rarely appeared in the many obituaries written for Mr. Perot this week: agriculturalist.  [More]