2024 Young Farmer Grant
Texas Agricultural Producers are encouraged to apply for the 2024 Young Farmer Grant (YFG) program. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is now accepting applications for this grant.
YFG is administered by TDA under the direction of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA). The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of dollar-for-dollar matching grant funds to individuals between the age of 18, but younger than 46 years of age at the time of the grant application submission deadline, who are engaged or will be engaged in creating or expanding an agricultural business in Texas. Applications that merely propose to sustain an existing agricultural business are not eligible for an award under this program.
An agricultural producer means, an individual directly engaged in the production of agricultural products for commercial purposes, including crops (including farming); livestock (including ranching); forestry products; hydroponics; nursery stock; or aquaculture, whereby 50 percent or greater of their gross income is derived from those products.
Please contact us via email at Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov with questions.
Deadline: Applications must be received by Wednesday, October 11, 2023, by 11:59 pm Central Time.
New Film Alert!
Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land
Black ownership of farmland has dwindled to alarmingly low numbers. From Executive Producer Al Roker, Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land examines the causes, effects, and solutions to this issue. In just a few decades after the end of enslavement, Black Americans were able to amass millions of acres of farmland. Today approximately 90% of that land is no longer in Black hands, various factors have been employed to take Black land including violence, eminent domain and government discrimination. It is a well-documented fact that Heirs’ Property has had a devastating effect on Black land ownership.
August 23 – 2:17pm: Bronze Lens – Atlanta, GA – Nominated for BEST DOCUMENTARY (watch the selection announcement HERE)
Sept. 27-Oct. 1 – (screening date TBA) Detroit Black Film Festival-Detroit, MI
The Inaugural GROW your AgriRoots Award Competition
Are you a young, beginning, or small (YBS) farmer working hard to be outstanding in your field? Then you should apply for a GROW your AgriRoots award for a chance at a $10,000 prize!
Capital Farm Credit is hosting the inaugural GROW your AgriRoots award competition for young, beginning, or small (YBS) agricultural operators. This award program was created to honor outstanding farm and agribusiness owner-operators within the agricultural community, who excel in their field. Selection of winners are based on their efforts in agriculture, financial character, leadership, community involvement, participation in continuing education or training and sustainability practices.
The program will offer up to two $10,000 awards to the top contestants. The application will open online on August 21, 2023, and will close on September 29, 2023. All applications must be received online on or before midnight on September 29, 2023, to be eligible for the awards.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted and applicants submitting incomplete applications will not be contacted. If you have any questions about this program or application, please call 979-822-7879 and ask for Allyson Tjoelker.
Deadline to apply is September 29, 2023.
Still Open! Discrimination Financial Assistance Program
Texas Coalition of Rural Landowners has partnered with Rural Coalition, a Washington D.C. based advocate group to offer technical assistance to Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners in filing claims under Section 22007. You may have seen advertisements promoting their services in assisting you in filing a claim. Please explore this option which is free of charge before signing on to these services. The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is a new program, authorized by Section 22007(e) of the Inflation Reduction Act, that is intended to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. Congress authorized $2.2 billion for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm loan programs prior to January 2021. The application process is open from July 7 through October 31, 2023.
Applying for this program is free—and free help with the Application is available. Visit How Do I Apply for more information. You do not need an attorney to file an Application. However, if you feel the need for legal assistance, seek the assistance of a trusted, licensed attorney.
The Applications includes step-by-step directions and a list of documents that are either required or recommended at each step.
Empowering the Future of Agriculture: Ensuring Equity and Inclusion in Farming and Ranching
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the “2501 Program” is crucial in providing support and resources to those who have historically faced barriers in accessing USDA programs and services. This annual symposium fosters dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities among stakeholders, agency representatives, and underserved farmers, ranchers, veterans and foresters.
The symposium agenda includes keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, such as:
- Advancing Racial Equity in Agriculture
- Enhancing Access to USDA Resources for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
- Sustainable Farming Practices and Resilient Agriculture
- Supporting Veteran Farmers and Ranchers: Programs and Success Stories
- Strengthening Community Partnerships for Agricultural Development
September 27, 2023 – September 28, 2023
8:30 AM-5:00 PM
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705
2023 ACGA Conference | Houston, TX
ACGA is the largest North American gathering of Individuals directly engaging in community-based gardening and urban farming. The theme for this year’s conference is “Celebrating the Diversity of Growing.” This 2023 ACGA Annual Conference will be held in Houston Texas from September 27th to 30th. An opening reception sponsored by Global Revive will be Wednesday, Sept 27th. Workshops will be held Thursday, September 28th and Friday, September 29th, morning and afternoon. Saturday, September 30th we’ll enjoy tours and the H Town grand finale event.
Who should attend?
Those who wish to grow your knowledge on community engagement, leadership development, innovative community garden programs, presentation of the community garden and urban agriculture-related research, volunteer engagement, site management, youth garden programs, community garden programs operated by non-profits, municipalities, universities and cooperative extension programs, horticultural therapy, conservation of soil and water, social justice and food access. Community Gardens are diverse and inclusive, we value diversity of age, race, gender, orientation, perspective and approach.
Sep 27, 6:00 PM GMT-7 – Sep 29, 9:00 PM GMT-7
Alief Hayes Campus, Community College
2811 Hayes Rd, Houston, TX 77082, USA
About the Author
