The Challenge Facing Texas Agriculture

According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, Texas lost more than 17,700 farms between 2017 and 2022. Most were small-scale, family-run operations. 

These are not simply statistics — they represent livelihoods, local food production, rural economies, generations of agricultural knowledge, and the stewardship of working lands across Texas.

At the same time, Texas producers face increasing challenges from drought, water scarcity, rising land and production costs, extreme weather, and market uncertainty. These pressures make it increasingly difficult for new producers to enter agriculture, for existing operations to remain profitable, and for working lands to remain in agricultural production.

Protecting Texas agriculture requires practical solutions, strong educational resources, access to technical expertise, and opportunities for producers and landowners to learn, adapt, and succeed. It means supporting the people who grow our food, steward our natural resources, and help sustain communities across Texas.

Supporting the farmers and ranchers we have today while preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders — and ensuring Texas’s working lands remain productive and well stewarded — has never been more important

SPI supports farmers, ranchers, students, and communities through research-driven education, hands-on training, mentorship, and technical assistance that helps build profitable operations, responsible land stewardship, and a resilient agricultural future.

The program serves producers at every stage of their agricultural journey — from aspiring farmers and ranchers, to landowners inheriting family property, and experienced producersseeking new tools and strategies to improve their operations. 

Through workshops, field demonstrations, one-on-one mentoring, soil testing services, applied research, and statewide networking opportunities, participants gain the knowledge, resources, and support needed to make informed decisions and build viable agricultural businesses.

SPI’s work helps producers:

• Improve profitability and long-term farm viability

• Improve business and land management decision-making

• Build stronger agricultural businesses

• Expand professional networks and market opportunities

• Support healthy local and regional food systems

• Strengthen land stewardship

• Increase drought resilience

Today, SPI serves as a statewide resource for producers, students, agricultural professionals, and communities by:

• Training 1,800+ producers through workshops and educational programming

• Providing mentorships and one-on-one support to producers and agricultural organizations

• Welcoming 4,000+ attendees to the Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference

• Building partnerships with leading agricultural, conservation, and educational organizations

• Establishing the SPAHRC Soil Lab to provide affordable and accessible soil testing services

• Supporting the launch of Texas State University’s Regenerative Agriculture Degree Program

Through these efforts, SPI helps producers build successful businesses, prepares future agricultural leaders, and strengthens the people, communities, and working lands that sustain Texas agriculture.