Texas STAR Fund

The Fund:

The STAR Fund (State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund) was created solely with monetary donations from private individuals and entities to fund disaster recovery efforts. STAR Fund money may be used to assist farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief. The Program is designed to provide relief to Texas agricultural entities adversely impacted by natural disasters.

Assistance:

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is offering a cost share (50% of eligible expense) to qualified agricultural producers not to exceed $4,000 per applicant. Example: A producer would need to submit documentation for $2,000 of eligible expenses to receive $1,000 in reimbursement. STAR Fund money may be used to assist in rebuilding fences, restoring operations and paying for other agricultural disaster relief costs needed to rebuild their agricultural operations. If the applicant's county is included in the Texas Governor’s declaration of disaster, they have 90 days from the date of his proclamation to turn in an application.

 “Every day, we depend on farmers and ranchers to provide our families with the healthy food and warm clothes that sustains our lives, and now is the time for Texas producers to lean on us,” Commissioner Miller said. “This is not a hand out, rather it’s a helping hand. I hope people will take advantage of these funds if you need them.”

Funds are not intended to compensate individuals or businesses for losses incurred, but to assist agriculture producers in cost-sharing some of the unexpected expenses associated with the repair or replacement of items necessary for their agricultural operation. See the application for more information. Verification of the damage caused by the disaster is required prior to TDA disbursing funds. Please include any pictures, certifications or other documentation of the damage.

Eligible disasters are listed on the program website and are updated frequently.

An eligible entity is an agriculture business/operation/ranch/farm located in a county declared a disaster by the Texas Governor. Applicants should submit documentation for agricultural related expenses not paid for by insurance or other governmental sources for costs directly related to rebuild from the natural disaster. Applicant must demonstrate that expenses incurred were related to agriculture production and directly caused by the disaster. If an entity/business/operation/ranch/farm is owned by more than one person, only one application may be submitted. An entity/business/operation/ranch/farm is eligible for only one single award every 24 months, regardless of the number of owners.

Agriculture business means a business that is or proposes to be engaged in producing, processing, marketing, or exporting an agricultural product.

 

Agricultural product means an agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, or vegetable product, bees, honey, fish or other seafood, planting seed, livestock, a livestock product, a forestry product, poultry, or a poultry product. Person means one property/entity/owner.

Check the STAR website to see if a disaster was declared in your area.

Complete the application.

Submit all required paperwork to one of the following three options:

• Email: STARFund@TexasAgriculture.gov

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711

• Physical Address: 1700 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701