HEN DISASTER STRIKES

S FARMERS AND RANCHERS

WE ARE THERE

STAR Fund Tractor Safety TDA Updates

Texas farmers and Working on the farm National Farmers
ranchers impacted by or ranch is dangerous Market Week, new
recent wildfires and work. When operating pesticide collection
other natural disasters a tractor, it's important date, Plains Cotton
to remain vigilant, and
will benefit from the Growers infographic and
have proper equipment.
STAR Fund. more!
Page 4 Page 11
Managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the
STAR Fund was created to collect private donations from
individuals and businesses to help Texas farmers and
ranchers affected by natural disasters. It is a helping
hand, not a handout. If you or your company would like
Your monthly
to make a tax-deductible donation to the STAR Fund,
please contact TDA today. Your support is appreciated!
connection to the
Texas Department
DONATE NOW of Agriculture.
(800) TELL TDA
texasagriculture.gov

Volume 3
Issue 8
August 2022

Howdy
Neighbors!
Welcome to the Texas
Agriculture Matters newsletter,
your monthly connection
to the Texas Department of
Agriculture.
If there's anything a Texan
knows, its that its hot in the
summer time. But this year

T
seems hotter than ever. 119
of 254 counties are under a he transition from summer
burn ban. With extreme heat to fall marks another distinct
and wind, it's inevitable that season – back to school. The Texas
wildfires will develop. We've
already seen terrible damage Department of Agriculture’s Office of
this year and the fires continue Food and Nutrition and Texas farmers
to rage on. Stay indoors when
you can, drink plenty of water, and ranchers are critical to preparing
keep your livestock watered, students for long school days – from
and provide shade.
pop quizzes to soccer practice.
And, folks, this is the last month
we'll be accepting donations
and applications for the STAR TDA provides educational and
Fund. Its going to help those curriculum resources for pre-school
affected by the recent tornadoes
and wildfires. Please consider age children as well as assets on meal
applying or donating today! planning for schools, childcare centers,
Remember friends, and day care homes. For example, by
Texas Agriculture Matters! incorporating Harvest of the Month in
the cafeteria and classroom, this helps
connect students to the bounty of the
Sid Miller Lone Star State.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Harvest of the This program sparks an enduring
mindset among new generations
month posters in which foods are chosen with the
knowledge that those choices
positively impact not only their
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provider. of students in Texas have
completed the program
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This product

and walked away with an impressive

leadership, teamwork, and event
Commissioner Sid Miller launched
coordination experience to add to
the Farm Fresh Initiative to focus
their college applications, as well as
on creating meaningful connections
a wealth of new knowledge about
between Texas farmers, ranchers,
agriculture, nutrition, and health.
schools, childcare providers, and local
communities.

About Commissioner Sid Miller

Sid Miller is an eighth generation farmer and rancher and the 12th
Commissioner of Agriculture for the great State of Texas. Commissioner Miller
has devoted his life to the agriculture industry, and supporting Texas producers
and the communities they call home. He is a businessman, rancher, community
Produced by the Office of Communications leader, former ag teacher and former school board member. Commissioner
Editor, Katlyn Gast Miller is a rodeo cowboy and holds 20 world championship titles. He is an
www.TexasAgriculture.gov honors graduate of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, where he received
(800) TELL-TDA
a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Agriculture Education.

2    August 2022
In the 2021-2022 school year, Texas
schools served 818 million school
meals and snacks. We have farmers
to thank for these nutritious options
students have during the school year.
Beef is an important part of a healthy
diet. It’s a nutrient dense, complete
protein with all essential amino acids,
iron, zinc, selenium, and B12. These
nutrients play a key role in keeping
kids full, engaged, and ready to learn.
A Farm Fresh Network member,
Brahman Country Beef, in Wharton,
Texas, provides their 80/20 ground
beef and FitBeef 93/7 lean ground beef
to local schools.
Dairy foods continue to play an
important role on school menus,
as evidenced by this new guide on
offering smoothies at lunch and
breakfast. According to USDA’s
products report, yogurt production –
both plain and flavored – totaled 386.1
million pounds in June 2021.
Serving meals with locally sourced
ingredients encourages children
to look within their ag community,
cultivates healthy relationships with
food encourages healthy lifestyles. In
addition, serving local foods means
fresher, better tasting products and
meals. To top it off, serving local
reduces carbon emissions while
supporting your local farmers.
Every day, three times a day, we should
thank a farmer. Agriculture producers
“fuel” our daily lives; from the gas
we put in our tanks, to the clothes on lives of young Texans into healthy and
our back, and the food on our tables. active adults. With TDA, the food and
Back to school is a perfect time to nutrition resources and programs will
remember how agriculture shapes the set children up for success from pre-
school to high school and beyond.

About TDA
The Texas Legislature established the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in 1907. The agency’s key objectives are
to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. The agriculture
commissioner oversees the agency and is elected every four years. The current commissioner, Sid Miller, was elected
in 2014 and re-elected to a second term in 2018. TDA is a diversified state agency that provides value-added services
through our regulatory and marketing and initiatives. TDA is headquartered in Austin and has five regional service
offices, two sub-offices, three laboratories and five livestock export facilities.
Mission:
TDA’s mission is to partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation’s leader in agriculture, fortify our economy,
empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban and urban
Texas through exceptional service and the common threads of agriculture in our daily lives.

  August 2022    3
 www.squaremeals.org

THIS FALL, ‘BACK TO SCHOOL’ WILL ALSO MEAN

‘BACK TO STUDENT MEAL RATES’
FOR NUTRITIOUS SCHOOL MEALS
Schools will transition back to requiring family applications for free
and reduced-price meals to meet USDA requirements.
In the 2022-2023 school year, schools are required to return to charging for
school meals on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) based on program eligibility.

All Income Eligible Families Should Complete These Steps:

As soon as possible, complete the NSLP Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
Contact your district for where to access an application
Return the form to the school office or submit online if available electronically
Watch for notification of eligibility in the mail or in an email
Familiarize yourself with how your school accepts payment in the cafeteria for meals and a la carte items
Ask questions! Contact your district with any questions, your school nutrition department is excited to serve you and your student(s).

Why Aren't Meals Free to All Students?

During the pandemic, schools were able to offer no cost meals to all students due to temporary program flexibilities provided by the federal government.
These flexibilities have expired, and the U.S. Congress did not provide funding in this year’s budget to allow schools to serve free meals to all students in
the 2022-2023 school year. Your school nutrition team looks forward to serving healthy, balanced meals to every student in the new school year.
These meals offer a good source of nutrition for children.

Why Are Meals Free To All At Other Campuses?

Certain campuses are eligible to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The CEP is a federally funded option that allows all students to
eat breakfast and lunch during the school day for free.

Fraud Hotline: 1-866-5-FRAUD-4 or 1-866-537-2834 | P.O. Box 12847 | Austin, TX 78711

Toll Free: (877) TEX-MEAL | For the hearing impaired: (800) 735-2989 (TTY)
Food and Nutrition Division This product was funded by USDA. Updated 6/23/2022
Nutrition Assistance Programs This institution is an equal opportunity provider. www.SquareMeals.org

4    August 2022
STAR FUND OPEN
FOR 2022 WILDFIRES AND TORNADOES
APPLY HERE DEADLINE AUGUST 8, 2022

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

TEXAS FARMERS AND RANCHERS
WE ARE THERE

Managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the

STAR Fund was created to collect private donations from
individuals and businesses to help Texas farmers and
ranchers affected by natural disasters. It is a helping
hand, not a handout. If you or your company would like
to make a tax-deductible donation to the STAR Fund,
please contact TDA today. Your support is appreciated!

DONATE NOW
(800) TELL TDA
texasagriculture.gov

  August 2022    5
 ✯ Ensure your tractors have ROPS or cab.

SAFETY SAVES ✯ Make sure collapsible ROPS are in the upright position for operation.

Tractor Safety ✯ Wear a seatbelt, UNLESS the tractor does not have a ROPS.
✯ Turn the tractor off before performing maintenance or repairs.
✯ Learn how to prevent sideways and rear overturns.
Article by Gunner Arms, 2022 CASH
Intern at SW Ag Center.
✯ Make sure other workers or family members are not near the tractor
during operation.

O f all agricultural work-related

hazards, tractors are involved
in the highest number of fatalities
✯ Be familiar with terrain and different soil types.
✯ Use caution when operating tractors in flooded areas or around
ponds and creeks.
with tractor overturns accounting
for 130 deaths each year. A very high ✯ Remain aware of weather conditions and how the ground can change.
percentage of these incidents could
have been prevented if the operator
was wearing a standard seat belt and
the tractor was equipped with a roll- FARMERS AND RANCHERS OFTEN WORK ALONE. MAKE
bar or Rollover Protection Structure SURE TO PROTECT YOURSELF BY IMPLEMENTING A
STRONG COMMUNICATION PLAN. THESE STEPS COST
(ROPS). YOU NOTHING, BUT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Tractor incidents are usually the
result of several factors, including
equipment, environment, and the ✯ Inform other co-workers or family members where you are working
operator. Farmers and ranchers work and when you expect to return.
on many different types of terrain and
✯ Have a cell phone or some way of contact in case of an emergency.
in various conditions. Here are some
ways to reduce the risk of a tractor ✯ Have an emergency plan. Download Here.
related incident.
If your tractor does not have a rollbar,
click here to find a dealer near you or
sign up for the Texas ROPS Rebate
Waitlist.

Click here to learn more about tractor

and machinery safety.

6    August 2022
FIND A CERTIFIED GO TEXAN FARMERS MARKET NEAR YOU BY VISITING GOTEXAN.ORG

The Texas Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the national nonprofit AgriSafe Network and the Southwest
Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (at The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Tyler) designed this comprehensive agricultural crisis helpline for Texans.

  August 2022    7
 Re
d
&
Ye
ll
o
w
Be

TH
ll

N
O
M
E
TH
Pe

F
O
ST
pp

E
RV

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HA

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er

G
U
A
Red and yellow bell peppers grow everywhere
in Texas and both are “hot” ingredients in dishes all
over the world. Red bell peppers could be called the did you know?
full-grown bell peppers, because they are picked later One medium-sized red bell pepper
contains approximately 150 percent
than other bell peppers. They often have a sweet taste. of the recommended daily allowance
for vitamin C, making it a great food
Yellow peppers are picked in the middle of their growing source for this vitamin.

time and are in between green and red bell peppers on

how ripe they get. Yellow bell peppers lack the sour taste
fun fact
Bell peppers were given the name
green peppers sometimes have. “peppers” by Christopher Columbus
and Spanish explorers who were
looking for “peppercorn” to make
black pepper.

1
2
3
5 4
7
6

8
Bell Pepper
Growing Regions
1. The High Plains 5. Trans Pecos
2. North Texas 6. Winter Garden
3. East Texas 7. Coastal Blend
4. Central Texas 8. Rio Grande Valley

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER
This product was funded by USDA. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

8    August 2022
 AGRICULTURAL Wednesday
PESTICIDE WASTE August 3, 2022
COLLECTION 8 am - Noon

UNWANTED OR SURPLUS AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES?

DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY AT NO COST AND STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE
11800 US Hwy 287 East, Dumas, Texas 79029

• Outdated, discontinued or unwanted • Explosive ordinances and ammunition

agricultural pesticides • Petroleum-Based Products
• Insecticides • Paints
• Herbicides • Medical Wastes
• Fungicides • Radioactive Substances
• Rodenticides • Household Pesticides, Chemicals, and Waste
• Nematicides • Tires
• Growth Regulators • Fertilizers, Propane or Butane Cylinders
• Empty, Triple-Rinsed Plastic Pesticide • Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Containers (55 gal. max) • Fumigant Canisters
• Empty or Partial Metal Drums
• Used motor oil and other automobile fluids
PESTICIDES MUST BE KEPT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS, • Auto Batteries
EVEN IF THE LABEL IS NOT PRESENT. • Empty Totes
Unknown pesticides will be sampled and identified on site. • Methyl-Bromide Cylinders
• Dioxins (2,4-5T, Silvex, TCDD, etc.)
For questions or additional information contact the Moore County Extension Office at (806) 935 -2594, the Texas
Department of Agriculture (TDA) Lubbock Regional Office at (806) 799-8555, or TDA Austin Headquarters at (512) 463-7622.
Pesticide dealers and commercial businesses are not allowed to participate.

  August 2022    9
 BACK TO
SCHOOL
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT...
2022
85% For the 22/23 school year,
students plan to attend
87% Clothes
say the current economic
situation/inflation will affect
their back-to-school shopping
81%
In-person or Hybrid
Supplies (82%)
Shoes (81%)
Accessories (37%)
Electronics (33%)

8 7 What Clothes Do Shoppers Plan to buy?

5 4 3 2
Leggings Outerwear
Socks Shirts Sweaters Dresses
Pants Activewear

Undergarments Shorts Jeans Sleepwear Skirts

46% of parents buy secondhand

clothing for their kids 56% Decide what clothing
to buy together with
their children

62% Plan to buy back-to-school

Features Parents Look For

clothing in-store, rather than

online, up from 56% in 2021.

Where Do Parents Plan to Shop?

84% 70%
I prefer my children Parents prefer cotton
Amazon/Online Only 59% be dressed in for children because it
Mass Merchant 54% cotton clothes is comfortable

For More Information Contact: Corporate Strategy & Insights at MarketInformation@cottoninc.com

Source: Cotton Incorporated’s 2022 Lifestyle Monitor™ Survey
AMERICA’S COTTON PRODUCERS AND IMPORTERS. Service Marks/Trademarks of Cotton Incorporated. ©2022 Cotton Incorporated.

10    August 2022

 New Program Connects Schools
with Texas Agriculture
T he U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) recently established the
Local Food for Schools Cooperative
Agreement Program (LFS). The Texas
Department of Agriculture (TDA) has
applied to receive over $22 million of
the $200 million allocated nationally
for the program. TDA will use the
funds to purchase Texas-grown-and-
raised products for distribution to
Texas schools in the National School
Lunch Program.
emphasis on purchasing from socially
disadvantaged producers, small
businesses, and processors.
LFS aligns with the goals of Agriculture
Commissioner Sid Miller’s Farm Fresh
Initiative – get more Texas products
into school meals and strengthen
local economies by supporting Texas
farmers, ranchers, and food producers.
LFS funds will enhance schools’
connections with agricultural
producers while increasing
producers’ capacity to sell their
products to schools. Broadening
partnerships between schools and
Texas agricultural producers helps
ensure fresh and nutritious foods are
available to more young Texans. Look
for more information coming soon to
SquareMeals.org.

LFS will help Texas schools offset

higher food costs brought on by
supply chain challenges incurred
during the pandemic. The LFS will
strengthen school nutrition programs
by helping to build a fair, competitive,
and resilient local food system as
schools navigate supply chain issues.
The program will work to expand
local and regional markets with an

  August 2022     11
 TEXAS WINE PAIRINGS

for the SUMMER SEASON

“TASTE the summer heat” Menu

Appetizer try it with...

Appetizer Option 1: Riesling
TERRACOTTA CHILI SHRIMP Riesling is an off dry white wine that is light bodied with high
with Tomato Relish acidity. The wine boasts flavors of lemon, lime, pear, pineapple,
beeswax and fuel. The sweetness and high acidity combination
in Riesling makes it a great match for strong flavored and
spiced foods while still light enough for the shrimp.
WINE OPTIONS:
RIESLING Appetizer Option 2: Chenin Blanc
CHENIN BLANC Chenin blanc is a light-medium bodied dry white wine with high
acidity. Flavors of yellow apple, quince, pear, lemon, and
honeysuckle. The high acidity and sweetness in a chenin blanc
makes it a great combo to the spiced shrimp paired with the
sweetness in the tomato relish.

Dinner pairs with...

Dinner Option 1: Chardonnay
HERB RUBBED CHICKEN An oaked chardonnay is dry and medium bodied, that has flavors
VEGETABLE KEBABS of lemon, apple, pineapple, and butter. The subtle and light flavor
with Tarragon Aioli of the chicken and vegetables will really accentuate the fruit
GRILLED POLENTA flavors in the wine while the cheese will accentuate the creamy,
with Spinach & Robiola Cheese buttery texture of the wine.

WINE OPTIONS: Dinner Option 2: PINOT NOIR

A dry, light bodied red wine with flavors of cherries, raspberries,
CHARDONNAY cloves and mushrooms. The high acidity and low tannins makes it
PINOT NOIR a great pairing for lighter meats, like chicken and complex enough
to match the flavors of all the herbs and the soft Robiola cheese.

Dessert great with...

Dessert Option 1: Sparkling Wine
MIGUELITOS Sparkling wine is a dry, medium bodied wine with flavors of
(Spanish Lemon Cream Filled Pastry) apples and apricots, honeycomb and vanilla. The lemon cream
flavors of the cream match those similar acidic flavors in the
wine, with the dry effervescence balancing out the sweetness of
WINE OPTIONS: the overall dessert.

SPARKLING WINE Dessert Option 2: Albariño

ALBARIÑO Albariño is a dry, light bodied white wine that is highly acidic
and flavors of lime, lemon zest, grapefruit and nectarine. The
light body and lemon flavors in the Albariño make it a great
pairing for the miguelitos. The accentuation of the lemon flavors
while the dry acidity help cut through the creamy richness of
the pastry.

UNCORKTEXASWINES.COM
12    August 2022
  August 2022     13
 JOIN A TEXAS-SIZED MOVEMENT
What
does it mean?
When you see the
mark, you know
the product or
place has been
proudly certified as
authentically Texan.

Where
do you find it?
Look for the mark
anywhere you shop,
from local farmer’s
markets to national
retail chains.

as.
Support Tex
more?
Want to learn
gotexa n.org

#GOTEXAN

14    August 2022

Commissioner Miller Shares Impact of
Extreme Heat on Ag Producers
C ommissioner Sid Miller spoke
with RFD-TV's own Suzanne
Alexander about an update on
conditions in the state, the impact
to crops and livestock, how
producers and ranchers are coping,
and what ripple effects this might
create for agriculture.
Extreme heat continues taking a toll
across the country, leaving many
farmers working to protect their
crops and livestock.
"Let’s keep all animals watered and
take every precaution against this
heat. This is deadly stuff and we all To watch this news clip from RFD-TV, click here.
need to take it very seriously. Limit For more information on drought conditions, click here.
your outdoor activity. Heat stroke
is not something to mess around If you're struggling with drought conditions, you might be eligible for financial assistance
with. So stay indoors or in the through USDA's Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish
shade!" -Commissioner Sid Miller Program (ELAP). You can find out more on this program by contacting your local USDA office.

Commissioner Miller Thanks Bob & Kelli Phillips

-Commissioner Sid Miller

of TX Country Reporter for Promoting FF Initiative

C ommissioner Miller launched the
Farm Fresh Initiative to focus
on creating meaningful connections
between Texas farmers, ranchers,
schools, childcare providers, and local
communities.

This year, to spread awareness of the

Farm Fresh Initiative, Commissioner
Miller welcomed Bob and Kelli Phillips
of Texas Country Reporter.

"Many thanks to Bob & Kelli Phillips

of 'Texas Country Reporter' who were
in Austin today helping promote the
Farm Fresh Initiative, where we get
good local Texas produce into our
school meals. Their help is greatly
appreciated!" -Commissioner Miller

  August 2022     15
 Fresh From the Field
Tip Your Hats to GO TEXAN partners
Collin Street Bakery & Crazy Water
New Partners!
C ommissioner Miller is excited
to announce that GO TEXAN
partners Collin Street Bakery and
✯ The Wild Bunch Agency
✯ OG Cellars Winery
Crazy Water, surpassed one million
dollars in sales with H-E-B! ✯ O'Neal Berry Farm
✯ Soul Fire Candle Co.
They are two of only 38 Quest for
Texas Best suppliers to ever achieve ✯ Gigi's Bees
this mark out of 5,530 participating ✯ Whimsy and Whit
products, and are proud to wear the
Million Dollar H-E-B Buckle. ✯ Sweet Charli Girl Kitchen
✯ Turn Compost, LLC
"Congratulations to these two
outstanding companies. Their ✯ Country Chick Farms
dedication to their businesses and the ✯ Texas Hot Honey
GO TEXAN program is exemplary."
✯ Zulu Coffee Co.
View photos of the million dollar buckles, ✯ Evercup Holdings, LLC
click the right and left arrows!
✯ Farmstead Annalise
✯ TJ Designs, LLC
✯ Kindly Sown Farm
✯ Huckle Bee Farm
✯ LL Whitney Consulting, LLC
✯ Rueggenback Brewing, Co.
✯ Curly's Frozen Custard
✯ El Patio CPG, LLC
✯ Fantastic Fuego
✯ Lalas Bootleg Salsa
✯ Nacogdoches County Chamber of
Commerce
✯ Seitz Gift Fruit
✯ Yellow Rose Gifting Company
✯ Wolfforth Farmers Market

16    August 2022

 Did You Know?
TDA Agricultural Loan
Guarantee Program
provides loan guarantees
and interest rebates
for agriculture-related
businesses and ranching
operations.
TDA Agricultural
Surplus Grant
Program provides
funding for the collection
and distribution of surplus
agricultural products to food
banks and other charitable
organizations throughout
Texas.
TDA Agricultural
Trade Promotion
Program utilizes federal
funding to increase exports of
Texas agriculture commodities
around the world.
Recipe of the Month
Unicorn Popsicles
Ingredients:
2 cups non-fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup Texas strawberries, hulled
1 cup Texas blueberries
1/4 cup coconut milk
Directions:
1. Run your strawberries,
blueberries and the top of the can
of coconut milk under cool running
water.
2. Blend 1 cup of the yogurt and the Recipe courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife
strawberries together in a blender
until smooth. Reserve strawberry
mixture.
Texas Ag Stats:
✯ 1 in 7 Texans holds
a job in an agriculture
related field.
✯ The Texas orange
industry generated
over $35 million in
2017.
✯ Over 4 million acres
of cotton are
harvested in Texas
each year.
✯ The average size of
a farm in Texas is
about 511 acres.
3. Blend 1 cup of the yogurt and the
blueberries together in a blender
until smooth. Reserve blueberry
mixture.
4. In popsicle mold, evenly
distribute coconut milk, then
strawberry mixture, then blueberry
mixture. Freeze for a minimum of 3
hours. Store in the freezer for up to
1 week.
Extension - Dinner Tonight.
  August 2022     17
Your Thoughts...
onasked:
We the drought conditions in Texas...
Do you think "fake meat"
should be as closley regulated
as real beef?

August 2022
Tell Us... what farmers markets do you visit?

@TexasDepartmentofAgriculture

@TexasDeptofAg

Produced by the Office of Communications

@TexasAgriculture Editor, Katlyn Gast
www.TexasAgriculture.gov
(800) TELL-TDA

18    August 2022