Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Sid Miller wears many hats in the state’s consumer protection agency and also administers school lunches and markets Texas products for the GO TEXAN program, which showcases products and businesses at farmers markets statewide.

GO TEXAN provides marketing materials and advertising for farmers markets online at GoTexan.org and via print publications. The agency also certifies farmers markets, which is required by some counties.

While all farmers markets do not need to be certified through the TDA and it is a voluntary program, they are eligible for certification if they

·   submit a completed farmers market application

·   have filed annually with TDA at the state headquarters office in Austin

·   submit a copy of the farmers market association bylaws, a list of the members of the governing body, a list of the association members identifying those that are farmers selling their own produce; and a description of the market location and the seasons, days and hours of operation.

A minimum of 75 percent of all agricultural products sold at the farmers market must be grown in Texas; at least two or more of the market’s members must be farmers selling their own produce; and all agricultural products sold at the market must be of merchantable quality.

For more information, visit GoTexan.org.