Matching funds awarded to 16 projects promoting Texas agriculture products

Texas

Sixteen projects designed to promote awareness and increase the sales of Texas agricultural products have been awarded matching fund grants through the Texas Department of Agriculture's GO TEXAN Partner Program, TDA announced Jan. 12.

"These projects demonstrate the creative and innovative spirit of GO TEXAN companies," said Delane Caesar, TDA's assistant commissioner for marketing and promotion. "It's an exciting program that creates new jobs and shows the world what our great state has to offer.

GOTEPP is a competitive matching fund program open to producers, commodity groups, cooperatives and businesses that are members of GO TEXAN, TDA's unified campaign marketing Texas agricultural products. The program is designed to help leverage the dollars available to promote agricultural products grown and processed in Texas. Costs for approved projects are split evenly between the applicant and TDA.

The combined cost of the 16 recently awarded projects is $493,042, with TDA contributing $246,521. Products to be promoted include everything from Texas sausage, wine, seasonings, peppers and gourmet food products to Texas lavender, leather goods, candy, food and wine festivals and farmers markets.

The GOTEPP Advisory Board awarded funding to the following recipients at its meeting on Dec. 20. Project amounts include the total cost, including both the applicant's portion and the matching contribution from GOTEPP.

--Austin Farmers Market, Austin, was approved for $12,138 for print advertising, billboards, cards, magnets, yard signs, banners and a mural to promote the farmers market.

--Country Dog Bakery, Waco, was approved for $18,295 for a product brochure, trade show booth and multiple trade shows to promote its dog biscuits for dogs that are diabetic, overweight or have allergies.

--GSC Chipotle Texas, Fort Hancock, was approved for $52,905 for magazine advertising, trade shows and online advertising to promote its pepper products.

--Holmes Smokehouse, Pleak, was approved for $47,602 for outside store demonstrations and attendance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Fort Bend County Fair to promote its many types of sausages and kolaches.

--Jimmy O's Marinades, Bergheim, was approved for $10,902 for multiple trade shows to promote the company's marinades, sauces and rubs.

--Jon Hart Design Company, San Antonio, was approved for $37,170 for website enhancements, a product catalog and Texas Monthly advertising to promote the design company's purses and luggage.

--Kountry Boys Sausage, Brenham, was approved for $6,000 for in-store demonstrations to promote its sausages.

--Lammes Candies Since 1885 Inc., Austin, was approved for $45,768 for multiple trade shows to promote its candy.

--Lightsey Farms, Mexia, was approved for $21,360 for print, radio and television advertising, signage, containers, photography, a website and a billboard to promote its homegrown vegetables and fruits.

--Pecanland Shoppe Ltd., Fabens, was approved for $30,060 for online advertising, a brochure and order forms to promote the company's pecans and pecan products.

--Powell Holman Boer Goats, Sonora, was approved for $14,460 for print advertising and postcards to promote the company's Boer goats.

--Sunset Valley Farmers Market, Austin, was approved for $43,720 for digital commercials at two movie theatres, a TV commercial, print advertising, posters, box truck graphics and market grocery bags to promote the farmers market and vendors.

--Sweet Dreams Lavender Farms, Austin, was approved for $3,918 for printed materials, print advertising and radio spots to promote its lavender plants and products.

--The Grand Wine and Food Affair, Sugar Land, was approved for $77,400 for print advertising and posters to promote the annual wine event.

--Whitson Chile Products, Terlingua, was approved for $8,467 for print advertising to promote its chili seasonings and hot pickles.

--Wine Week in The Woodlands, Houston, was approved for $62,875 for radio advertising, billboards, a GO TEXAN section in the Value Wines event and a GO TEXAN section in the Wine Rendezvous event to promote Texas wines.

For information on applying for GOTEPP funding or to receive a GOTEPP information packet, call TDA at 877-99GO-TEX or 877-994-6839. Inquiries can be sent to Debbie Wall, funding coordinator for marketing and promotion, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711. Information is also available at the GO TEXAN website at www.gotexan.org.

Date:1/26/06