Texas Agriculture Supply Chain Strengthened with $22.5 Million In Grants

The Texas agriculture market is one to behold, given that the state's economy is in the top 10 nations of the entire world! Yes, I said "nations."

Well, the impressive factor doesn't end there since a massive $22.5 million in grants have just been awarded to 80 first handlers across 45 Texas counties.

Fun Fact: A "first handler" is a person or group who first buys an ag commodity from a producer for marketing. The producer is considered the first handler if they market the commodity directly to consumers.

Millions Awarded to Texas Ag

According to a news release from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority made a massive announcement. The AgLink Continuity Grant Program is awarding nearly $22.5 million in grants to strengthen critical ag infrastructure and to help farmers and ranchers recover from natural disasters.

Commissioner Miller stated that the agriculture economy is vital to Texas' marketplace:

When natural disasters disrupt these operations, the effects ripple far beyond the farm gate. These grants help ensure our producers have dependable partners, our rural communities remain economically strong, and Texans continue to benefit from a secure food and fiber supply.

Processing and marketing are severely impacted when droughts or flash floods impact facilities like cotton gins, grain warehouses, and rice dryers. Due to the vital role that these play within the Texas economy, AgLink is deciding to step in and offer assistance.

What Are the Grants for?

The grants will help fund equipment purchases, facility improvements, safety and efficiency upgrades, job retention, and other investments that will help those in the ag business recover from major disasters, according to the release.

What a win for Texas ag! You can catch up with the latest on these grants and other agriculture news across Texas on the Department of Agriculture website.