Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association May 2026 Newsletter |
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RGV Food Summit in Review!
Last month, six TOFGA board members and staff attended the RGV Food Summit as both sponsors and speakers. We distributed hundreds of seed packets, gave out food safety materials, and visited with new and old RGV friends!
This event was a big part of our plan to visit various Texas regions this year, but we're still looking for more ways to connect across the great state of Texas. Have an upcoming event near you? Reach out to admin@tofga.org and we'll look for ways to attend, make connections, or spread the word!
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- Resource: TCLF Learning on the Land Digital Handbook
- Huitlacoche Workshop -- May 16, Austin
- HMI Profit on Purpose Workshop -- May 19, Decatur
- Dallas, Tarrant, and Johnson County Working Group -- May 20, Arlington
- Fundamentals of Regenerative Grazing -- May 21-22, Canyon Lake
- Food Systems Summit -- June 5, San Antonio
- Funding Opportunity - USDA AMS Grants -- Due June 5
- Texas Master Gardener Conference -- June 29, Virtual
- National Farmers Union Beginning Farmer Institute -- Due July 1
- SFFFS Conference -- August 3-4, San Marcos
- Farm Bill Updates!
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Huitlacoche Workshop
May 16, 10 am - 12 pm Austin
Join Nick Steinhauser and Central Texas Mycological Society for a 2-hour intensive about huitlacoche, the edible corn smut fungus. Nick will share his insights on inoculation and cultivation, harvest and cooking tips, and common pitfalls. |
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HMI Profit on Purpose Workshop
May 19, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Decatur, TX
Holistic Management International will host a full day workshop at the Leo Ranch that will include presentations from Re:Farm, Dixon Water Foundation, Grassroots Carbon, and the Texas Agriculture Land Trust. Registration is $35. |
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Dallas, Tarrant, Johnson County Working Group
May 20, 9 am - 12 pm Arlington, TX
Dalworth Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA-NRCS will host a meeting to gather local input on priorities for conservation program planning. The meeting will also feature presentations from A&M Agrilife, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Trinity River Authority, and Grow North Texas! |
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Fundamentals of Regenerative Grazing
May 21-22, 9 am - 5 pm Canyon Lake, TX
Small Producers Initiative will host a regenerative grazing workshop at Pure Pastures. Christine Martin and the Eubanks Family will cover the fundamentals of adaptive grazing. Great for beginners to regenerative agriculture. $40 registration includes lunches. |
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Food Systems Summit
June 5, 9 am - 2:30 pm San Antonio
This year's summit will bring together farmers, chefs, educators, youth leaders, and community voices for discussions on the theme "Rooted in History, Growing the Future." Gary Paul Nabhan will give the keynote. Free and open to the public at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. |
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Funding Opportunity: USDA AMS Grants
Due June 5
USDA AMS is now accepting proposals for its Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Foods Promotion Program (LFPP). FMPP projects must promote direct-to-consumer activities while LFPP proposals should promote intermediary supply chain activities. Both grants require a 25% cost share. Applications are due by June 5. |
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Texas Master Gardeners Conference
June 29, 8:45 AM - 5 PM Virtual
This year's Master Gardeners conference, The Restorative Garden, centers on renewal of landscapes, knowledge, and volunteers who steward them. Join Master Gardeners for a full day of virtual sessions by Agrilife specialists and experienced practitioners. Registration is $65. |
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National Farmers Union Beginning Farmer Institute
Apply by July 1
NFU's Beginning Farmer Institute is a free, online, 10-week intensive program intended to improve the health of farm and ranch businesses. Open to producers 18 and older from all operation types and scales of production! |
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Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference
August 3-4 San Marcos
Join growers, producers, and local food advocates for 2 days of learning, sharing knowledge, and exploring useful resources. Registration is $225 before June 20 and $275 after. |
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Farm Bill Updates!
On April 30, the House of Representatives voted to pass the House version of the Farm Bill. The next step in the process is the Senate version of the House Bill will be negotiated before a vote. Most of what was passed does not support small family farmers, does nothing to support expanded organic food production, or restore food access safety nets. The one positive is that an amendment to shield pesticide producers was removed. Our friends at Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance wrote this helpful summary. Want to dive even more deeply into the good, medium, and terrible (and what you can do about it?)? Check out this analysis from National Young Farmers Coalition. |
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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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