The Texas General Land Office says it will work with the Texas Farm Bureau and Texas A&M University on an effort to help young and beginning producers get started in farming and ranching on state-owned land.
Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the partnership on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Under the plan described by the agency, the GLO would pick suitable tracts of state land, and the partner organizations would supply hands-on instruction and mentoring from experienced producers.
Who is involved
According to the GLO, the program will be shaped by a working group. In answers to written questions from The Texan, the agency said that group will start with staff from the land office, Texas A&M AgriLife and the Farm Bureau, and that it hopes to add the Texas Department of Agriculture, working farmers and ranchers, educators, veterans groups and others later.
The land office said A&M will contribute its agricultural research, teaching and extension work, while the Farm Bureau will help share information about upcoming state land leases with its members.
Not limited to students
The GLO told The Texan the program could be open to Texas A&M students but would not be restricted to them. The agency also said veterans interested in agriculture could be reached through its Veterans Land Board.
No budget, number of participants or start date was included in the announcement. The agency said it will share who qualifies, how to sign up and when the program begins after the partners settle the details.
