Funding Available for Fence Replacement

With more than 3 million acres in Texas burned it is apparent that ranchers are challenged to rebuild.  Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is encouraging Ranchers to apply for assistance available through the STAR Fund. TDA is now accepting applications for the 2011 Operation New Fences; however, applications must be postmarked by Friday, July 22, 2011. 

The Program is designed to provide relief to Texas agricultural producers adversely impacted by wildfires between November 15, 2010 and June 30, 2011 No late applications will be accepted; however, there will be a second round ofapplications accepted later this year for producers still being impacted. Funding for the program is availablethrough the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund established to collect monetarycontributions from private individuals and entities to fund disaster recovery efforts. TDA will provide vouchers to qualified producers for a specific value that is currently estimated to be in the range of $200 to $500 per voucher. Vouchers may be redeemed at participating Qualified Vendors for agricultural fencing supplies. A list of Qualified Vendors will be provided with the approved voucher.

For an application and application checklist go to STAR Fund - Donate/Apply.

Eligible producers will use vouchers at Qualified Vendors in the same manner they would use gift certificates without a cash back option. Vouchers will have an expiration date, approximately 30 days from the date of issuance.

Applications may be submitted by mail with a postmark no later than July 22, 2011 to Texas Department of Agriculture, External Relations, P. O. Box 12847, Ausin, TX 78711 or hand delivered to Texas Department of Agriculture, External Relations, 1700 No. Congress Avenue, 11th floor, Austin, TX 78701.