2022 Census of Agriculture
Deadline to response is Feb.6th 2023
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land – whether rural or urban – growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year. The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity. Often times funds for USDA programs are allocated based on numbers generated by the census of agriculture. If you do not complete the census report YOUR worth is not recognized when funds to support both small scale rural and urban agriculture programs are being awarded. Deadline to respond is Feb.6th 2023.
Applications of Tractors Approved
In the last newsletter we outlined the process for submitting applications for getting up to an 80% reimbursement for a new diesel tractor via a grant program through TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality). The program received 701 applications and approved 291 for funding. TCRL assisted in submitting two applications, both were approved for funding. To date one has been funded, the other still awaiting funding. The program is intended to assist diesel equipment owners to upgrade agricultural tractors to a more environmentally friendly one. The grant programs within TCEQ fall under TERP (Texas Emissions Reduction Plan). The purpose of the TERP program is to cut NOx emissions and reduce impacts on the environment by replacing older in-service equipment. Mr. George McNary III, co-owner of McNary Farms, purchased the tractor pictured in this article via the program. Mr. McNary stated, “After becoming familiar with TERP programs I signed up for email notifications to be made aware of when and what grant programs were becoming available”. Once notified of the Rebates Grant Program webinar, he listened in to familiarize himself with the requirements and obligations of the program. This allowed him to gather application requirements such as existing equipment photos, engine specs., and his W-9 form before the grant round opened, allowing him to submit his application quickly. The Rebates Grant Program, which is a first come-first serve program with the purpose of removing your existing equipment from service and replacing it with a better emissions rating machine, reimburses grant recipients 80% of the new tractor cost or up to the maximum you qualify for which is based on your existing tractor specifications. Two months after applying he received an email notification that he was awarded the grant. Immediately upon receiving the executed contract he began searching for a new machine. After purchasing and receiving the new tractor he applied for reimbursement which took about two months. The process takes about four months from application to reimbursement.
The 27th annual Texas Land Conservation Conference will be held March 1-3, 2023 at the Hilton Austin Airport.
TCRL Chair Billy Lawton will be presenting a session on
“African American Farmlands in Texas: Enhancing Access and Partnerships”
The conference is the preeminent statewide meeting for anyone working in the field of land and water conservation, private landowners interested in conserving their land, government, business and NGO agency partners, and any person interested in learning more about these important issues in Texas.
The conference brings together experts from around the state and nation to discuss a variety of conservation-related issues, providing an exceptional opportunity for learning and engagement in order to advance land and water conservation in Texas. Whether you are interested in attending, speaking on a panel, or supporting our event as a sponsor or exhibitor, you can find more information by following the links below. Or click the tabs the top of the website for information on conference fees, hotel accommodations, our conference agenda, event speakers, and more.
Registration is now open for the 38th Annual Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference!
Look for TCRL table at this event!!!!!
Early registration ended January 20th, prices are $40.00 per person. Complete the attached registration form and mail or bring it to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Fort Bend County, 1402 Band Road, Ste. 100, Rosenberg, TX. If stopping by, we are in the Annex Building and ask for me (Lorraine). No processing fees are incurred if paying manually and if mailing your registration and payment, be sure it will arrive here no later than February 6. (Never mail cash.)
This year’s conference will be in person at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds! (See the flyer attached for all the details.)
New PVAMU Recruit
TCRL is proud to announce that Christopher Stance, will be attending Prairie View A&M University’s incoming class of 2027, He plans to major in Computer Science. TCRL is proud to mentor a new student to PVAMU each year. Christopher plans to leverage his degree in Computer Science by working for a USDA Agency.
Scholarship Deadline Wednesday March 15, 2023
USDA recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program for the 2023/2024 school year. Aspiring high school seniors as well as current college students are encouraged to apply before the March 15, 2023 deadline.
USDA/1890 scholarship recipients receive full tuition, fees, books, summer employment and employee benefits for each of the four years they pursue a bachelor’s degree. The partnering institutions provide room and board. Recipients are required to work one year (with pay) at USDA for each year they receive the scholarship. USDA/1890 National Scholars are selected by participating USDA agencies based on recommendations of participating 1890 Land-Grant Universities.
“This program furthers USDA’s goal of promoting and encouraging America’s young men and women to consider careers in agriculture and public service,” said Horace Hodge, USDA/1890 Program Liaison. “Under this terrific partnership, students benefit from an outstanding educational opportunity and USDA benefits from the knowledge, talent, diversity and skills that they will potentially bring to USDA.”
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