Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association December 2025 Newsletter |
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Support Texas Organic Agriculture in 2026!
We at TOFGA want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support of our mission. Your dedication to sustainable, organic farming is what keeps our work thriving.
In 2026, we plan to increase our reach and continue bringing Texas organic growers together. To make this happen, we’re asking for your support with a year-end gift. Whether you are able to give $5 or $50, every dollar helps nourish our community across Texas.
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With the year coming to a close, will you consider making a tax-deductible contribution to TOFGA today?
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Your gift will fund educational initiatives, advocacy efforts, and community building opportunities for organic farmers, gardeners, and advocates across our state.
In 2026, instead of our traditional statewide conference, TOFGA is exploring activities to support farmers as they build community in their own regions.
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We’re coming to you! - We’ll be attending more local events like the Bastrop County Local Food Fair, Fort Bend Vegetable Conference and the Rio Grande Valley Food Summit to share seeds, educational resources, and get to know you!
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TOFGA member-organized events - We will support your local community-building through farm tours, producer-hosted luncheons, and more! The more funds we can raise, the more places we can co-host events! Look out for upcoming emails from us for TOFGA events in your area. (And let us know if you’re interested in organizing something in your neck of the woods!)
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- New TOFGA member discount with Hort Americas!
- Beef Sustainability Summit -- December 8-9, Dallas
- Power of Cover Crop Diversity Webinar -- December 9, Virtual
- Unpacking the Schedule F -- December 16, Virtual
- Advancing Regional Organic Markets -- December 18, Virtual
- Purposeful Composting Workshop -- January 3, Oakwood
- Seeds of Resilience Workshop -- January 17, Wimberly
- Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch -- January 26 - April 19, Virtual
- Texas Grazing Network Land Steward Applications -- Due January 31
- Science Explainer: Soil Critters and Plant Hormones -- Acres Magazine
- Organic Farming Research Foundation -- National Survey
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New TOFGA Member Discount from Hort Americas 10% off Organic Fertilizers We're excited to announce that TOFGA members now have access to a new discount - 10% off of Hort Americas organic fertilizers. TOFGA members can access discount codes for Hort Americas, Johnny's and Ensoil Algae through the members section on the TOFGA website. |
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Texas A&M Beef Sustainability Summit
December 8, 12 - 5:30 pm
December 9, 8 am - 5 pm
Dallas, TX
The 2nd Annual Beef Sustainability Summit aims to bring together multiple segments of the beef supply chain: ranchers and land stewards, processors, retailers, investors, and corporate sustainability professionals. Expect a mix of panels, case studies, and unfiltered conversations that connect market demands with ranch-level realities. Registration is $250 for in-person attendees or $50 for a virtual option. |
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Mix it Up: Unlocking the Power of Cover Crop Diversity Webinar December 9, 11 am - 12 pm Virtual Join Ken Berns of Green Cover Seed for this webinar on the power of cover crop diversity. He'll cover species mix strategies, real world tips and ways to balance cover crop simplicity cost and performance. |
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Unpacking the Schedule F Webinar December 16, 12 pm (CST) Virtual Join Andy Larson of the Food Finance Institute for a helpful explanation of the Schedule F (Form 1040), "Profit or Loss from Farming" that's tailored for small, niche, and specialty farmers. |
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Advancing Regional Organic Markets: A Farmer's Toolkit (West/Southwest)
December 18,
11:30 am - 1 pm (CST)
Virtual
This Rodale Institute webinar will provide an in-depth walk through of their new toolkit that will help identify key market opportunities in the West and Southwest, support resilient supply chains rooted in local identity, and foster stronger connections between producers, processors, and buyers. |
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Purposeful Composting: Boosting Soil, Ecosystem, and Profit
January 3,
9 am - 4 pm
Oakwood, TX
Compost isn’t just “garden fertilizer”—it’s a powerful tool to regenerate your soil, strengthen your ecosystem, and improve your bottom line. This full-day, hands-on workshop with Andie Marsh and Christine Martin will show you how to make high quality, biologically active compost that is practical to maintain by busy gardeners, homesteaders, farmers, and ranchers. $50 registration fee.
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Seeds of Resilience: Wicking Gardens and Seed Saving January 17, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Wimberly, TX Join the Watershed Association for this step-by-step workshop on constructing a wicking garden bed. This session will also cover seed saving and the Wimberly Village Library's seed catalog. Speakers will include Janet Bradford and Kat Locke. |
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Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch - Spring Course January 26 - April 19 Texas A&M Agrilife Extension offers this online course twice a year for new landowners, those inheriting property, or planning to start an ag enterprise on an existing ranch. Participants work toward developing a personalized business plan over 12 weeks with no set class times to accommodate busy schedules. Course fee is $300. |
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Texas Grazing Network Land Steward Applications Due January 31 American Farmland Trust's Texas Grazing Network is accepting applications for land steward participants. This is a great opportunity for new or expanding regenerative grazers to build community with other ranchers and receive one-on-one mentorship from an experienced rancher in your region. Land stewards will be eligible for stipends and scholarships as they complete program milestones. Space is limited! |
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Science Explainer: Soil Critters and Plant Hormones by Scott McElveen Ever wonder about how soil microbes communicate with plants and influence their growth? Check out this helpful explanation by Scott McElveen in Acres for an accessible run-down of plant hormones and their microbial influencers! |
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2025-2026 National Organic Farmer Survey
Your experience matters! OFRF’s National Organic Farmer Survey is now open. It takes about 25 minutes, and your insights help shape research, education, and resources for organic farmers nationwide. Complete the survey by Jan. 31, 2026, and receive a Johnny’s Selected Seeds discount plus a chance to win farm-related prizes.
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1416 John West Rd. Dallas, TX 75228
Call or text us at: 512-656-2456 {tofga.org} // Email: admin@tofga.org |
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