By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Applications are open for the new AgLink Continuity Grant Program under the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA).

The program is designed to support critical agricultural processing and handling businesses, including cotton gins, grain elevators, grain warehouses and rice dryers. When natural disasters such as drought, wildfire, flood or winter storms strike, these operations often experience significant reductions in raw materials delivered for processing or marketing, resulting in severe financial strain.

While farmers and ranchers often have access to crop insurance or federal disaster programs, many of the facilities that handle, store and process raw commodities do not qualify for the same support. AgLink was created to close these gaps in disaster assistance and ensure critical infrastructure remains.

“Farmers and ranchers depend on these facilities to move their commodities to market,” said Brant Wilbourn, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities. “When a disaster cuts production and those businesses lose volume, they’re still facing the same overhead costs. If they can’t weather that downturn, it puts the entire supply chain at risk.”

AgLink will provide working capital to help stabilize operations, preserve jobs and ensure continuity of services during periods of disaster-related revenue loss.

Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded through a competitive evaluation and selection process.

The new grant is funded through a major reinvestment in Texas agriculture under HB 43, which Texas Farm Bureau supported during the last legislative session.

To qualify, applicants must not be producers of raw agricultural products but instead be indirectly impacted by disasters through reduced production from surrounding farms and ranches.

Eligible entities must take possession of raw commodities directly from a group of farmers or ranchers for marketing, storage or initial processing.

They must demonstrate negative financial impact due to decreased regional production and provide a 10% match of the funds awarded.

The business also must be headquartered in Texas, with principal owners who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens.

Applications are open through March 18.

For more information about the AgLink Continuity Grant Program, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture website.