Texas Agriculture Commissioner: Role, Race and TDA Grants

The Texas agriculture commissioner is the statewide elected official who runs the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). As of 15 October 2026, the office is held by Sid Miller, who was first elected in 2014 and began his third four-year term in January 2023, according to TDA. Miller lost the Republican primary on 3 March 2026, so a new commissioner will be chosen in the general election on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

This page explains who is on the ballot, what the law requires of a candidate, what the office does, and which TDA programmes a farmer or rancher can actually apply for. It also has a calculator for the cash match on a TDA grant. The page is dated 15 October 2026 and will be updated after the vote. It does not support or oppose any candidate.

Who is the Texas agriculture commissioner?

TDA says the commissioner oversees the agency and is elected every four years. Sid Miller was first elected in 2014, and his current term started in January 2023. A four-year term that began in January 2023 runs to January 2027, when the winner of the November vote takes office.

The race in brief

Nate Sheets defeated Miller in the Republican primary on 3 March 2026, as reported by Ballotpedia News and The Texas Tribune. Sheets co-founded the Nature Nate’s honey company, which he sold in 2021, and owns a ranch; this is his first run for public office. Clayton Tucker was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The Texas Tribune’s voter guide says he grew up working on his family’s ranch in Lampasas, is secretary of the Texas Farmers Union and has worked as a trade-policy organiser. The Texas Tribune voter guide also lists Austin R. Kelly as the Libertarian candidate; it describes him as a natural resource management consultant from Comanche County who has lectured at Texas A&M University. The Texas Secretary of State’s general election sample ballot lists the same three candidates. Check your own sample ballot from your county elections office for the official list for your address.

We do not report vote shares here because we could not confirm them on an official results page. We make no prediction about the outcome.

How the agriculture commissioner is elected

The office is set up in Chapter 11 of the Texas Agriculture Code. Section 11.001 places the department under the direction of the commissioner, Section 11.002 puts the headquarters in Austin, and Section 11.004 sets a four-year term. Republican and Democratic candidates are chosen in party primaries in March; smaller parties such as the Libertarians nominate by convention (Texas Election Code, Chapters 172 and 181). The nominees then meet in the November general election.

Who can run: the four qualification routes

Section 11.005 of the Agriculture Code says a person must meet at least one of four tests to be elected, or appointed to fill a vacancy. Each test is measured against the years before the person’s first term:

1. Business of agriculture: at least five of the 10 years before the election year spent in the business of agriculture.
2. Agency work: the five years before the election year spent at a state or federal agency in a job directly related to agriculture.
3. Land: at least five of the 10 years before the election owning or operating farm, ranch or timber land that qualifies for agricultural use appraisal, plus taking part in a federal farm programme in the election year.
4. Producer groups: at least five years working for the Texas Agricultural Council, one of its member organisations, or another agricultural producer association.

The same section defines the business of agriculture as producing crops, seed, flowers, grapes, horticultural or aquaculture products, or livestock for sale, or processing those products. The commissioner also appoints a deputy commissioner, who must have practical knowledge of agriculture and acts for the commissioner when needed (Section 11.007).

In late September 2026, Texas Public Radio reported that the Tucker and Sheets campaigns each argued the other does not meet Section 11.005. Tucker’s lawyers say beekeeping and honey fall outside the statute’s definition and that Sheets has owned his Honey Rock Ranch only since May 2022. Sheets points to a 12-acre farm in McKinney he says he has owned since 2012 and questions Tucker’s own record. These are claims by the campaigns. Tucker’s letter asked the Republican Party of Texas chair to review Sheets’ eligibility. As of 15 October 2026 we found no report of a ruling by the party, a court or an election official.

Key dates for the 3 November vote

The Texas Secretary of State election calendar lists these dates:

• 5 October 2026: last day to register to vote (passed).
• 19 to 30 October 2026: early voting in person.
• 23 October 2026: last day for a mail-ballot application to be received.
• 3 November 2026: Election Day; mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m., or by 5 p.m. on 4 November if postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day (different deadlines apply to overseas and military voters).

Early voting hours and polling places differ by county, so check your county elections website.

What the Texas Department of Agriculture does

TDA states its main objectives as promoting production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. In practice the agency does five kinds of work that touch farms and ranches:

• Regulation: pesticide licences, seed and plant quality, quarantines such as fire ant rules, hemp, organic certification, egg quality, grain warehouses and produce safety, all listed among TDA regulatory programmes.
• Consumer protection: weights and measures, including the scales and price scanners shoppers rely on.
• Grants and rural development: farm grants through the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, specialty crop grants, the State Office of Rural Health and rural community block grants.
• Disaster help: the Hay Hotline, drought and wildfire aid pages, the prescribed burn programme and the STAR Fund.
• Food and nutrition: school meal programmes for Texas children.

The Texas Tribune’s 2026 voter guide sums up the job the same way and adds that the department runs the AgriStress Helpline for farm workers and rural families. The 2020 Sunset Advisory Commission review described TDA as one of few Texas agencies headed by a statewide elected official, and said its role had grown to cover rural affairs, including rural hospitals and infrastructure. Under Section 11.003, TDA is abolished on 1 September 2035 unless the Legislature continues it through the Sunset process.

The industry the office oversees

Texas had 230,662 farms in 2022, down 7% from 2017, and they sold $32.2 billion of products, according to the USDA Census of Agriculture state profile. Livestock, poultry and their products made up 77% of those sales. Texas ranked first in the nation for sales of cattle and calves and of cotton and cottonseed.

Chart

Texas farm sales by product group

Market value of agricultural products sold, 2022, US$ billion, eight largest groups

Texas farming by the numbers

Crop values show where TDA’s regulatory and marketing work lands. In 2025, upland cotton, hay (not counting haylage) and corn for grain were each worth more than $1.3 billion in Texas, according to the USDA NASS state overview. Winter wheat and grain sorghum were each close to $400 million.

Chart

Value of Texas crop production

Selected crops, 2025, US$ million

Texas also had 12.1 million head of cattle and calves on 1 January 2026, out of 86.2 million in the whole US (USDA NASS). That is one reason livestock export pens, disease rules and hay supply sit so high on the agency’s list.

TDA programmes a farmer can use, and how to apply

Most farmers meet the office through a short list of programmes. The sections below cover each one with who it suits, what it offers and the first step. Deadlines change every cycle, so always check the live TDA page before you start.

Grants: AgPRO and specialty crop funds

1. AgPRO producer grant

Best for: working farmers and ranchers who want to start, grow or upgrade an operation in Texas.

The Agriculture Production Resource Opportunity (AgPRO) grant is run by TDA for the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA). According to the TDA AgPRO FAQ (version 2.0, 29 April 2026), the Legislature created the underlying grant programme in 2025. Key rules from that FAQ:

• Who: an individual or entity that earns at least 50% of gross income from commercial crops, livestock, forestry, hydroponics, nursery stock or aquaculture, based and operating in Texas.
• How much: up to $500,000. The TAFA board may fund all, part or none of a request, and it expects far more applications than money.
• Match: 10% of the grant for $5,000 to $100,000, 20% for $100,000.01 to $250,000 and 30% for $250,000.01 to $500,000. The match must be cash; loans from a lender count, but your own labour or equipment does not.
• Payment: reimbursement only. You pay eligible costs first and claim them back through the TDA-GO online system.
• Not allowed: land purchases, ATVs, marketing, personal vehicles, debt repayment, and costs from before the grant term.
• Timing: one application per applicant; register on TDA-GO at least 72 hours before the deadline; review takes about 16 to 20 weeks.

The first round opened on 1 April 2026 and closed on 14 May 2026, according to the TDA announcement. TDA had not announced another round when we checked on 15 October 2026; watch the TDA grants page.

2. Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Best for: grower associations, universities and community groups working on fruit, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops or flowers.

This is a USDA-funded programme that TDA runs for Texas. The 2026 round closed on 22 January 2026, and TDA says the chosen projects go into a State Plan due to USDA by 8 June 2026. Projects must help a Texas specialty crop industry and benefit more than one person or organisation, so a single farm cannot apply for its own business. If you grow specialty crops, the practical route is through your commodity association or an extension partner.

Try the numbers for your own farm below.

Licences and rules farmers deal with

3. Private pesticide applicator licence

Best for: farmers and ranchers who use restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce crops or livestock on land they own, rent or manage.

The TDA private applicator page says no licence is needed for general-use pesticides on farm commodities. For restricted products, the steps are:

1. Take the Texas Private Applicator Training Course.
2. Apply to TDA on form PA-400P or through the Texas Agriculture Portal, and pay the licence fee.
3. Wait for the eligibility letter with your TDA account number.
4. Book and pass the private applicator exam at a Metro testing centre.

A private licence must be renewed every five years with 15 continuing education credits, including two in laws and regulations and two in integrated pest management. Instead of courses, you may pass the recertification exam, which TDA lists at $64 per attempt. Always follow the product label and state rules when you apply any pesticide.

4. Weights and measures

Best for: anyone who sells by weight or volume, or buys fuel, feed or grain by the scale.

TDA inspects weighing and measuring devices to check they work within set tolerances, and checks packages for correct net content and labels, according to its weights and measures page. If you sell produce by the pound at a market, your scale must be fit for trade. If you think a scale or pump is wrong, report it to TDA through its Tell TDA line.

Disaster, drought and hay help

5. STAR Fund disaster cost share

Best for: producers rebuilding after a flood, wildfire, tornado or other declared natural disaster.

The State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund is paid for by private donations. TDA says it offers a cost share on repair or replacement costs, such as fences and other items needed to restart the operation; it does not pay for the value of what was lost. Your county must be named in a disaster declaration by the Governor or an agricultural emergency declaration by the commissioner, and you have 90 days from that proclamation to apply. The application sets out what costs qualify and how much is paid. Drought is not covered; for drought losses, TDA points producers to their local USDA Farm Service Agency office.

Keep photos, invoices and any certifications of the damage, because TDA must verify the damage before it pays.

6. Hay Hotline

Best for: ranchers short of feed after drought, fire or flood, and growers with hay or grazing to sell.

The TDA Hay Hotline lets users search for hay, for transporters and for pasture to lease, and it has maps and weekly hay reports. Acres planted but not harvested can be a sign of drought, but not always: much Texas wheat is planted for both grazing and grain, so some fields are grazed out rather than lost. In 2025, Texas farmers planted 5.5 million acres of winter wheat but harvested 2.3 million, and planted 5.3 million acres of cotton but harvested 4.0 million (USDA NASS).

Chart

Texas acres planted vs harvested

2025, thousand acres; corn and sorghum harvested for grain only

Marketing and school meals

7. GO TEXAN

Best for: farms and food businesses that sell a Texas-made or Texas-grown product under their own brand.

GO TEXAN is TDA’s marketing programme and the owner of the GO TEXAN mark. The programme says it has more than 1,700 partners. To use the product mark, you must be a taxable entity registered with the Texas Comptroller, and you must make the product or add value to it in Texas. You apply online through the GO TEXAN site. The 2020 Sunset review found the programme had no formal mission or goals and recommended that TDA set them.

8. School nutrition

Best for: understanding one of the office’s main public-facing jobs.

TDA’s Food and Nutrition division runs federal meal programmes in Texas. Its Square Meals site says the National School Lunch Program serves lunches to more than 3 million Texas children in schools and residential child care institutions. Meals must meet federal nutrition rules, and schools are reimbursed for each meal served.

How to apply for a TDA programme in five steps

1. Pick the right programme. Grants for your own operation (AgPRO), group projects (Specialty Crop), licences (pesticides) or disaster help (STAR Fund) each use different forms.
2. Set up your accounts early. Grants use TDA-GO; licences use the Texas Agriculture Portal. Register days before any deadline.
3. Gather records. Tax returns or income records to show farm income, quotes for equipment or work, proof of cash or loan for any match, and photos for disaster claims.
4. Read the current request for applications. Amounts, dates and eligible costs change each round.
5. Plan the cash flow. Reimbursement grants mean you pay first and get paid back later, so line up working capital or a loan.

Questions on grants go to the TDA Grants Office; general questions go to TDA’s Tell TDA line. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice; check the official rules, and ask a lawyer or accountant about your own case.

Where satellite field records fit

Many TDA forms ask for proof: what you grow, where, and what changed after a storm or fire. Dated satellite images of each field can help you show crop condition before and after an event, alongside your photos and invoices. The Farmonaut Satellite + AI Farm Monitoring System maps crop vigour field by field from satellite imagery, so you can keep a season-long record on your phone. For how satellite records can support loan and insurance checks, see our crop loan and insurance verification page.

▶ Six plain steps to start precision farming, including checking your fields from space with satellite crop maps. · 4:18

Larger operations may also want multi-farm management tools, fleet management for farm vehicles, product traceability records or carbon footprint estimates. Developers can read the satellite and weather API documentation, and growers can open the Farmonaut app on web, Android or iOS. None of these replace a TDA application; they only help you keep records.

▶ A walkthrough of the Farmonaut Agro Admin app for managing many farms, tasks and crop health maps in one place. · 7:27

How we checked the facts

Every fact on this page comes from an official or named source that we opened on 15 October 2026: TDA’s own pages, the Texas Agriculture Code, the Texas Secretary of State election calendar and USDA statistics. Campaign details come from The Texas Tribune, Ballotpedia News and Texas Public Radio, and we report them as their claims. We left out vote percentages, agency budget and staff numbers because we could not confirm them on an official page. The old version of this article listed savings and yield gains with no source; those figures were removed.

FAQ

Who is the current Texas agriculture commissioner?

Sid Miller, as of 15 October 2026. He was first elected in 2014, and his third term began in January 2023 and runs to January 2027.

When is the next election for agriculture commissioner?

The general election is Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Early voting runs from 19 to 30 October 2026. Nate Sheets (R), Clayton Tucker (D) and Austin R. Kelly (Libertarian) are the candidates on the Texas Secretary of State’s sample ballot.

How long is the commissioner’s term, and is there a term limit?

The term is four years under Section 11.004 of the Agriculture Code. We found no term limit in Chapter 11; Sid Miller is in his third term.

What qualifications does the commissioner need?

One of four routes in Section 11.005: five of the past 10 years in the business of agriculture, five years at an agriculture-related state or federal agency, five of 10 years owning or operating qualifying agricultural land, or five years with a producer association.

Can an individual farmer get a TDA grant?

Yes, through AgPRO, if at least half of your gross income comes from commercial farming, ranching or related production in Texas. The Specialty Crop Block Grant is for groups and institutions, not single farms.

Do I need a TDA licence to spray my own crops?

Only for restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides and regulated herbicides. General-use pesticides do not need a licence, but you must still follow the label.