Lawmakers’ $100M TAFA package starts paying out: board reports heavy demand for AgLink and AgPro grants

Officials implementing HB 43 told lawmakers the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority has rolled out new grant rounds and that demand far outstripped available funds. "An application submitted under the improved programs requested more than $335 million in assistance," said Charlie Lial of Texas Farm Bureau, summarizing board and industry feedback.

Justin Tucker, TAFA vice‑chair and agriculture banker, said the AgLink continuity grants drew 169 applications requesting roughly $68 million; the board awarded about $22.4 million to the highest‑scoring projects. "Before HB 43, much of our grant funding was directed toward young farmers and ranchers," Tucker said. "HB 43 allowed us to make a much greater impact on the people who truly make their living from farming and ranching in Texas." He said the producer‑focused Ag Pro grants drew roughly 1,100 applications, representing about $255 million in requests, and that the board is preparing awards after a September review.

Grant recipients credited the program with preserving rural infrastructure and enabling new business models. "This grant didn't just give Meadow Co‑op money to build a seed facility...It gave us an opportunity to adapt," Meadow Farmers Cooperative Gin manager Tanner Streety said, describing how seed storage will lower transport costs and open market options. Donnie Shwartner of Top Tier Grain said his $321,000 AgLink award will fund a rail scale and expanded capacity that he expects will open direct‑to‑Mexico shipping and reduce truck traffic.

TAFA board members and stakeholders urged the Legislature to maintain or expand funding for the program next session and recommended several technical fixes: allow virtual board meetings consistent with open‑meetings law to speed decisions, refine eligibility rules to reduce administrative triage, and alter the interest‑rate reduction mechanism so large committed treasury purchases do not tie up TAFA capital. Several witnesses said the program helped stabilize facilities that serve as the backbone of food and fiber supply chains, and recommended the committee monitor implementation.