TDA Workshop to Help Producers Access STAR Disaster Relief Funds

July 28, 2026

by KCP

STAR Workshop

What: State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund Information Workshop
When: Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at noon
Where: District Courtroom, Kinney County Courthouse
Agricultural producers with questions about eligibility or the application process are encouraged to attend.

Agricultural producers impacted by the recent severe weather and flooding will have an opportunity this week to learn about a state disaster assistance program that could help offset recovery costs.

Kinney County Judge John Paul Schuster announced that representatives from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will host a workshop on the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund at noon Wednesday, July 29, in the District Courtroom. The workshop is intended for farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses affected by the July storms and flooding. "The STAR Fund can reimburse up to 80 percent of eligible disaster-related expenses that are not covered by insurance or another government assistance program," Schuster said in announcing the meeting.

What is the STAR Fund?

Unlike many disaster programs funded through state or federal appropriations, the STAR Fund is supported entirely through private donations and administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The program is designed to help agricultural producers recover from natural disasters by sharing the cost of rebuilding operations. Eligible expenses may include repairing or replacing fences, restoring damaged agricultural infrastructure and other recovery costs necessary to resume agricultural production. The fund is intended to help with unexpected rebuilding expenses rather than compensate producers for all financial losses.

Who is eligible?

To qualify, an agricultural operation must be located in a county included in either a gubernatorial disaster declaration or an agricultural emergency declaration issued by the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

Governor Greg Abbott's July 14 disaster proclamation includes Kinney County among dozens of counties affected by severe storms, heavy rainfall and flash flooding that began July 13.

Eligible applicants include:

Commercial farmers and ranchers

Agricultural businesses

Agricultural processing operations

Nonprofit agricultural entities

Backyard gardens and hobby farms are not eligible. Only one application may be submitted per agricultural operation, regardless of the number of owners, and an operation may receive only one STAR award during a 24-month period. Applicants must also demonstrate that expenses were directly related to agricultural production and were caused by the declared disaster.

Keep Your Records

Schuster encouraged producers to begin documenting recovery efforts immediately. "As with all available sources of funds, keep records of man-hours, whether personal or contractor, along with photographs of damage and repairs and invoices for materials and supplies," he said. While reimbursement is not guaranteed, maintaining thorough documentation is a common requirement for disaster assistance programs. Applicants should also retain receipts and records showing any insurance payments or other governmental assistance, since STAR funds can only reimburse eligible costs not covered by those sources.

Application Deadline

Applications for producers affected by the July 2026 disaster must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2026, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. Producers may apply online through the TDA grant portal or request a paper application by emailing grants@TexasAgriculture.gov.

STAR Fund at a Glance

Who can apply? Commercial farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses.

Maximum assistance: Up to 80% of eligible disaster-related expenses.

What isn't covered? Expenses already paid by insurance or another government program.

Eligible costs may include: Fence replacement, agricultural infrastructure repairs and other disaster-related recovery expenses necessary to restore agricultural operations.

Application deadline: October 31, 2026

Workshop: Noon, Wednesday, July 29, District Courtroom, Kinney County Courthouse.