The Texas Department of Agriculture is committed to providing the high level of service Texans have come to expect. Whether we're helping Texas farmers and ranchers continue to provide a safe and dependable food supply, ensuring Texas school children continue to have access to regular, healthy meals or supporting our vital rural hospitals and clinics, the Texas Department of Agriculture is here for Texans.
Following the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Texas Department of Agriculture continued its full operation combined with teleworking staff. TDA is currently back to mostly normal operations. We ask all constituents, customers, licensees and others to continue to contact TDA by email or telephone where practical in requests for service. TDA remains available to service all constituent needs. If agency business necessitates an in-person visit to the Stephen F. Austin Building or any TDA regional office or laboratory, an appointment is highly advisable. If you need to make a payment, you may do so online or via USPS.
Please visit this page often as we keep it updated with the latest information.
REGIONAL OFFICES
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This is an official government document subject to the provisions of Texas Penal Code Sec 37.10 - Tampering with Governmental Record. Misuse of this document subjects a fraudulent user to criminal prosecution.
SCHOOL MEALS
The Texas Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Division is in constant contact with federal agencies regarding the school (including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program) and summer meal programs (consisting of the Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option for School Food Authorities), as well as USDA Foods.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has also collaborated with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Health and Human Services Division to implement the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program in Texas. As the school year transitions to Summer, please call 2-1-1, text FoodTX to 877-877, or visit
SummerFood.org to find meal locations near you.
For the most recent updates related to nutrition programs, visit
SquareMeals.org.
RURAL HOSPITALS
The TDA State Office of Rural Health has also ramped up efforts to assist rural community hospitals and clinics by extending grant deadlines, identifying aid resources and seeking emergency funding.
More updates on the agency's response to COVID-19 are forthcoming.
LICENSING
If individuals need assistance specifically with Structural Licensing, please email spcslicensing@TexasAgriculture.gov and a Licensing staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
If individuals need assistance with all other program (other than SPCS), please email License.Inquiry@TexasAgriculture.gov and a Licensing staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
If individuals need compliance assistance or program questions specifically with Weights and Measures, please email WeightsMeasures@TexasAgriculture.gov and a program staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
Eggs:
If individuals need compliance assistance or program questions specifically with the Egg program, please email EggQuality@TexasAgriculture.gov and a program staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
Grain Warehouse, HMPC & Aquaculture:
If individuals need compliance assistance or program questions specifically with the Grain Warehouse, HMPC & Aquaculture program, please email GrainWarehouse@TexasAgriculture.gov and a program staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
Organics:
If individuals need compliance assistance or program questions specifically with the Organic Certification program, please email Organic@TexasAgriculture.gov and a program staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
CONSUMER SERVICE PROTECTION
Structural Pest Control Service:
If individuals need compliance assistance or program questions specifically with structural pest control, please email SPCS@TexasAgriculture.gov and a program staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible.
Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers:
The US Department of Homeland Security has released a memorandum on identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. Here is a link to the memo: VIEW MEMO
Search for "exterminators" to see the Public Works section of the document where you'll find exterminators considered to be Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.
Apprentice Registrations Expiring:
From March 31, 2020 forward, Apprentices whose registrations are expiring and were unable to take a Technician Training Course and/or were unable to take exams due to PSI closures as a result of COVID-19 will be granted extensions. Given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the length of the extensions is to be determined (TBD).
Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Courses and Technician Training Courses:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TDA will allow for Department approved CEU courses and Technician Training Courses to be given as a web-based interactive course, where the audience can ask questions of the instructor, exchange information, etc. The Department must be notified ahead of time of any web-based interactive course, and we must be provided with web access to the course in the event we are able to monitor the course. We will allow such a course to be given up until June 1, 2020, when we will re-evaluate where we are with COVID-19. Due to the restriction of no gatherings of ten or more people, TDA will not be approving in-person CEUs until the restriction has been lifted.
Pesticide Product Evaluation and Registration:
If individuals need assistance or have questions about pesticide product registration, please email Product.Registration@TexasAgriculture.gov and a program staff member will email you back to assist as soon as possible. Please click here to read the Ag Pesticide Applicator and Course Provider Update.
PSI Testing:
Additionally, there are several programs that are involved in testing with PSI. Please see the link below for additional information on PSI testing location closures, and how PSI will be handling the situation due to COVID-19. For additional questions, please e-mail the respective program.
https://www.psionline.com/blog/psi-services-ceo-owned-and-operated-test-center-closures-in-the-us
TRADE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
COVID-19 Resource Guide:
The TDA Trade & Business Development program has compiled a resource guide to assist our economic development partners. This document will be updated periodically as new programs and initiatives are announced: TBD COVID-19 Resource Guide.