Draft:Texas Agriculture Connection
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Last edited by Achmad Rachmani (talk | contribs) 5 months ago. (Update) |
| Abbreviation | TAC |
|---|---|
| Established | 2022 |
| Founder | Carter Keating, Executive Director |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Purpose | Nonprofit Advocacy Organization for the Agricultural Industry in Texas |
| Headquarters | 5802 N. Navarro Street Victoria, Texas |
| Website | www |
The Texas Agriculture Connection (TAC) works to create a healthy, spirited, and prosperous Texas agriculture industry supported by an informed and engaged Texas public. We educate the general public on the importance of Texas agriculture while advocating for legislative solutions to challenges facing the industry.
Advocacy and Legislation[edit]
The TAC champions legislative measures aimed at addressing the challenges facing Texas' farmers, ranchers, and agriculture-based businesses, with an emphasis on enhancing the overall well-being and stability of the industry.
Advocacy for the 88th Texas Legislature[edit]
Protecting Texas’ Right To Farm[edit]
In 1981, Texas made a law called the "Right to Farm" statute. The purpose was to support and improve farming and the production of food. This law limit how farms can't be regulated or be considered a nuisance unless they are causing health or safety issues.[1]
To safeguard Texas farmers and ranchers, it's essential to shield them from excessive regulations and interference by cities. The TAC is active in the effort to pass HB 1750[2], HB 2308[3], and HJR 126[4], the bills that improved these protections.
HB 1750[edit]
This Texas bill aims to make it harder for cities to impose rules on farms and ranches. It sets strict conditions for when cities can make such rules, focusing on protecting farming practices. It also creates a guide for accepted farming practices and makes sure this bill comes first if there's a conflict with other laws.
HB 2308[edit]
This Texas bill is all about protecting farms and ranches. It says that if a farm has been operating for a year or more, it can't be easily sued or regulated for being a nuisance. It also stops cities from imposing certain rules on farms unless they can prove they are necessary for public safety. It protects the way farms are run and the structures they use.
This bill aims to protect agricultural operations from nuisance actions and other legal actions, promote food security, and define the scope of agricultural operations and improvements in the state of Texas.
HJR 126[edit]
HJR 126 proposes a Texas constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management, will be on the Texas constitutional amendment ballot in November 2023. TAC supports the right to farm and encourages all to vote “YES” in November 2023 to enshrine these protections in the Texas Constitution.
Funding Farmers and Ranchers[edit]
Rising farming costs emphasize the need for readily available capital, especially for the newer generation of farmers. According to the USDA, the average value of farmland in Texas has increased to $2,900 per acre, up from $2,650 in 2022[5]. As the expenses for land, equipment, infrastructure, and other essential resources continue to rise, having readily available capital becomes increasingly critical for establishing and sustaining a prosperous agricultural enterprise.
The Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA), a part of Texas Department of Agriculture, was established in 1987 to provide financial assistance, in the form of loans and grants, to eligible agricultural businesses. [6] TAFA programs such as the Young Farmer Grant Program, the Agricultural Loan Guarantee Program, and the Interest Rate Reduction Program are intended to support existing agricultural businesses and make it easier for new farmers and ranchers to get their start.
The TAC called specific attention to the need for additional funding and support for Texas' young farmers. The 88th Texas Legislature appropriated $500,000 to the Young Farmer Grant Program for the 2024-2025 biennium, the first direct appropriation in the program's history.
Rural Water Infrastructure and Texas' Water Needs[edit]
In 2015, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) recorded over 1,500 boil water advisories across the entire state of Texas, marking a notable increase from the 650 advisories issued in 2008. [7]
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) predicts without water supply development or the adoption of water management tactics, there is a looming water shortage of 3.1 million acre-feet annually in 2020 and a more substantial 6.9 million acre-feet annually by 2070.[8]
The lack of clean water and shortages have reduced the availability of water for farms, ranches, agricultural businesses, and rural communities. The TAC is advocating for SB 28 [9] and SJR 75[10] to make sure that every Texan always gets clean water.
SB 28[edit]
The 88th Texas Legislature passed SB 28 to address these challenges. SB 28 focuses on financial assistance for water projects in Texas. It creates the "New Water Supply for Texas Fund" to finance new water supply projects. It also establishes the "Texas Water Fund" to disburse money for authorized purposes.
The bill outlines rules for fund management, application reviews, and water conservation plans. Additionally, it addresses technical assistance for utilities and water loss reporting. The effective date is set for these changes.
SJR 75[edit]
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the Texas Water Fund, which would assist in financing water projects in Texas. The fund would be managed by the Texas Water Development Board, and its purpose is to transfer money to other water-related funds or accounts. The proposed amendment will be voted on in the upcoming election on November 7, 2023. Voters will decide whether to create this fund for financing water projects in the state.
Foreign Ownership of Texas Farmland[edit]
Texas leads the nation in farmland owned by foreign entities. By the close of 2021, based on USDA data, Texas held the highest amount of foreign-owned agricultural land, accounting for 5.3 million acres.[11]
Foreign investment in Texas farmland can be good for our state's economy and rural areas, as it can create jobs and boost development. But we must also be aware that some foreign governments buying Texas land could pose a threat to our state and national security.
- Foreign investment in U.S. farmland might lead to a situation where they control a large portion of the best farming land. As a result, they could have significant influence over how food is produced and the prices we pay for it. [12]
- Foreign ownership of American farmland can become a national security risk if a foreign company's buy farmland near a military base. This was the case "after a Chinese company planned to build a milling plant near an Air Force base in Grand Forks, North Dakota, until the Pentagon and lawmakers raised objections and local officials scrapped the project."[13]
The TAC is pushing for laws that can deal with national security issues while still letting folks sell their land to foreign investors who have good intentions. Making sure we have good information about these land deals is also a big part of this law. Right now, all the necessary data isn't readily available.
Community Support[edit]
TAC is committed to promoting strong, informed, and active communities in our state. In addition to our agriculture-oriented volunteer work, TAC offers scholarships for two Texas high school seniors to pursue further education in agriculture or a related industry.
TAC Youth in Agriculture Scholarship[edit]
TAC offers $2,500 scholarships to support two Texas high school seniors in their pursuit of further education related to the agriculture industry. The objective is to reduce barriers for the next generation of Texas producers.
Community Volunteering[edit]
TAC support organizations working to fight food insecurity, strengthen our state’s rural and urban communities, and educate the next generation of Texas producers. We volunteer regularly with local organizations leading this effort.
- ^ Dowell, Tiffany (September 25, 2023). "Texas Right to Farm Statute Overview". Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Burns (April 11, 2023). "H.B. No. 1750" (PDF). Texas Legislature Online. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Ashby. "H.B. No. 2308 (88R8544 KBB-F)". Texas Legislature Online. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Burns. "H.J.R. No. 126 (88R11691 KBB-D)". Texas Legislature Online. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ United States Department of Agriculture; National Agricultural Statistics Service (August 2023). Land Values 2023 Summary (PDF) (Report). ISSN 1949-1867. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Texas Financial Authority". Texas Department of Agriculture. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (2021). 2021 Texas Infrastructure Report Card (PDF) (Report). Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Texas Water Development Board (2022). 2022 State Water Plan Water for Texas (PDF) (Report). Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Perry. "S.B. No. 28 (88R16344 JAM-F)". Texas Legislature Online. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Perry (March 6, 2023). "S.J.R. No. 75" (PDF). Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Congressional Research Service (January 24, 2023). Foreign Ownership and Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land (Report). Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Tomascik, Julie (October 25, 2022). "Lawmakers ask for review of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland". Texas Agriculture Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ De Luce, Dan (May 5, 2023). "Foreign purchase of land near U.S. military bases would require government approval under proposed rule". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.