Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is the official regulatory and promotional agency responsible for supporting and advancing agriculture, food, and rural economic development across the state of Texas. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the department serves farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and consumers through a comprehensive suite of programs, grants, certifications, and policy initiatives. With a mission to partner with Texans to make agriculture the state’s leading industry while ensuring healthy food and economic vitality, TDA plays a pivotal role in shaping the agricultural landscape of the United States' second-largest state.
Leadership and Governance
The agency is led by Commissioner Sid Miller, an elected official and lifelong agricultural advocate who has served in office since 2015. Under his leadership, the department has expanded outreach through the GO TEXAN® campaign, prioritized rural development, and enhanced food access programs throughout Texas.
Core Services and Programs
TDA’s service portfolio spans regulatory, promotional, and developmental functions:
1. Regulatory Oversight
- Pesticide Licensing & Certification
- Weights and Measures Device Registration
- Organic Certification
- Plant Pest and Disease Control
- Structural Pest Control Service
2. Food & Nutrition
Administered by TDA across 1,200+ school districts and public institutions:
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
In FY2023 alone, over 900 million meals were served under these programs, ensuring nutrition for students and vulnerable populations.
3. Economic Development and Grants
- Young Farmer Grant Program: $1.5 million awarded annually to first-generation farmers.
- Texas Rural Economic Development Grants: Supporting agribusinesses and rural infrastructure.
- Specialty Crop Block Grants: Federal USDA funds distributed locally for high-value crops like fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
4. Promotional Initiatives
- GO TEXAN® Program: The official marketing initiative supporting Texas-made agricultural products. With over 2,500 registered businesses, it provides branding, networking, and export assistance.
- Texas Farm Fresh Initiative: Strengthens farm-to-school pipelines and encourages local sourcing.
- Texans Feeding Texans: Distributes surplus food from Texas farmers to local food banks—over 28 million pounds donated in 2023.
Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- Comprehensive Service Portfolio: Regulatory, economic, nutritional, and promotional activities under one administrative umbrella.
- Scale of Impact: TDA oversees programs reaching 25+ million Texans, including over 5 million school-age children.
- Data-Driven Strategy: GIS tools, rural health indices, and commodity tracking inform all policy and program planning.
- Innovation in Agriculture: Initiatives in hemp licensing, drone regulations, and precision farming are underway.
Market and Economic Impact
Texas leads the U.S. in:
- Cattle and calf inventory: 12.5 million head (~13% of U.S. total)
- Cotton production: Over 6 million bales annually
- Agricultural exports: Exceeding $7 billion annually
- Farm count: Over 247,000 farms covering 127 million acres
TDA’s economic footprint influences more than $25 billion in annual agricultural GDP for the state.
Target Audience and Stakeholders
TDA programs are designed for:
- Farmers and Ranchers
- Agribusiness Corporations
- Rural Municipalities and Economic Developers
- Educators and School Nutrition Directors
- Exporters and Trade Bodies
- Consumers and Local Food Advocates
Capabilities and Infrastructure
- Online Licensing System: Streamlines certification for 50,000+ professionals annually
- Inspection Force: Over 200 field officers covering compliance, food safety, and labeling
- Data Services: Comprehensive commodity statistics and mapping tools
- Marketing Support: Event representation, digital promotion, trade fair participation for GO TEXAN members
Certifications and Compliance
- USDA Authorized State Agency: For child nutrition and specialty crop grants
- EPA Authorized for Pesticide Licensing
- State Auditor Compliant: All financial disbursements follow Texas state transparency standards
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): Promoted via training and audits across participating producers
Customer and Stakeholder Testimonials
“GO TEXAN helped us get our pecans into national retailers. We wouldn’t have had that visibility without the program.”
— Jim R., Texas Pecans Grower, San Saba County
“The Summer Food Program was a lifeline for our school during the pandemic. The support was swift and effective.”
— Marie L., Nutrition Director, El Paso ISD
“TDA understands the needs of small rural towns. Their grant team helped us secure funding for a new feed cooperative.”
— Dan B., Economic Development Officer, Uvalde
Major Achievements
- Administers over $350 million in annual funding across programs and grants
- Over 2.3 million website visitors annually accessing agriculture resources
- Launched Texas Hemp Program in 2020 with over 1,300 licenses issued
- Recognized nationally for its Farm Fresh Challenge, involving over 1,100 schools in local food sourcing
The Texas Department of Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the state’s economic resilience and food security, promoting innovation, stewardship, and opportunity across all corners of the Lone Star State.
