Young producers can apply for a Young Farmer Grant through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).

Applications must be received by TDA by 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 9.

The matching grant program is available to farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18 and 46 as of the application deadline.

Applicants must be engaged in creating or expanding an agriculture business in Texas.

The grant program aims to grow and support Texas agriculture, as well as help grow an operation that also impacts the community.

According to TDA, the purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance in the form of dollar-for-dollar matching grant funds to farmers and ranchers who are engaged or will be engaged in creating or expanding an agricultural business in Texas.

Grant funds will not be awarded to multiple family members for the same project. Each individual grant applicant must clearly describe a distinct project and demonstrate how the individual grant application will independently benefit from the Young Farmer Grant.

TDA administers the Young Farmer Grant program under the direction of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA).

An applicant who has a family, employment or business relationship with an executive, officer or employee of TDA, or a member of the TAFA board of directors, is not eligible for a grant.

Click here for more information about the Young Farmer grants from TDA.

Another TAFA initiative specifically geared to help young farmers and ranchers is the Young Farmer Interest Rate Reduction program. It provides an interest rate reduction on loans for certain projects, including purchasing or leasing land and fixed-asset acquisitions and improvement, among others.

Click here to learn more about the interest rate reduction program.

Information on additional grant opportunities is available here.