Resources

Texas requires seed dealers to be licensed, and seeds sold in the state must meet labeling requirements. Seed certification programs (for producing certified seed) are typically managed through TDA in cooperation with seed certification associations. If exporting internationally, you'd also deal with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. TDA would be your primary state-level contact for regulatory compliance, while USDA/APHIS would be crucial for any interstate commerce or variety protection issues.

Federal Agencies:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (Federal Seed Act)
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/fsa
USDA AMS Plant Variety Protection
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/plant-variety-protection
APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) - Regulates importation and interstate movement of seeds, especially regarding plant pests and diseases
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) - Regulates treated seeds (pesticide-coated) and environmental compliance
- https://www.epa.gov/
Patent and Trademark Office - For protecting proprietary seed varieties and genetics
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/plant-variety-protection
Federal State Noxious Weed Seed List
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/StateNoxiousWeedsSeedList.pdf

Texas State Agencies:

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) - Primary regulatory body for seed sales in Texas; enforces seed labeling laws, conducts seed testing, and licenses seed dealers.
- https://texasagriculture.gov/
- https://texasagriculture.gov/Regulatory-Programs/Seed-Quality/Seed-Law
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Provides research, education, and connections to university breeding programs
- https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - For environmental permits related to operations
- https://www.tceq.texas.gov/

State Associations

Texas Ag Council (list of all state agricultural associations)
- https://txagcouncil.org/membership/

National Associations

American Seed Trade Association
- www.betterseed.org
Association of American Seed Control Officials
- https://www.seedcontrol.org/
Southern Seed Association
- https://www.southernseed.net/
Western Seed Association
- https://www.westernseed.org/
Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies
- https://aosca.org/