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Commissioner Staples awards $100,000 to 13 young Texas farmersTexas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority has awarded $100,000 in the form of matching grants to 13 young farmers who will create or expand agricultural businesses in Texas. The funds are awarded through the new Young Farmer Grant Program to farmers ages 18 to 46. "The average age of Texas farmers and ranchers is increasing," Commissioner Staples said. "Nationally, the number of farmers under age 25 has decreased by 30 percent since 2002. One reason there are fewer newcomers to production agriculture is because there has been a lack of user-friendly, effective financing options. The Young Farmer Grant Program is aimed at helping new and young operators become more firmly established." In 2009, the 81st Texas Legislature approved the Texas Department of Agriculture's proposal for TAFA to establish the first-of-its-kind Young Farmer Grant Program. Since TAFA's creation in 1987, the program has provided financial assistance to individuals and businesses through partnerships with banks or other agricultural lending institutions. For a complete list of award recipients or more information about the Young Farmer Grant Program and other TAFA programs, visit www.TexasAgriculture.gov and look under "Most Popular Links."
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