Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association Newsletter September 2025 |
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TOFGA Board Retreat Update!
Once a year, the TOFGA Board of Directors gathers in person (and virtually) to discuss strategy, plan programming for the coming year, and review our proposed budget. Since we have board members all the way from Denton to Brownsville, it's a special occasion when the board gets together in person! This year, we met in San Antonio and had the pleasure of connecting with new members of the board. Every conversation centers you, our network, and what we need to do to serve you.Expect to see our continued commitment to high quality peer-to-peer education, as well as some new and exciting regional presence at local events and lots of practical food safety planning. We're also focusing more on our partnerships with the incredible organizations from around the state, including Texas Center for Local Food. Check out their cool Texas Local Food Directory below and sign up to help customers find out! We look forward to seeing y'all around in the coming year!
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- Opportunity: Get Listed in the Texas Local Food Directory!
- Legal Guide to Humane Handling Requirements -- September 12, Virtual
- TCLF Free Farm Business Webinars -- September 18 & 23, Virtual
- Keep Poop Off The Food Workshop -- September 25, Dripping Springs
- Conservation Plan Workshop -- September 25, Laredo
- SporeCorp Mushroom Cultivation Workshop Series -- September 29, October 6 & 13, Virtual
- Texas Grazing Network Mentor Applications -- Due September 30
- Diverse Solutions in Livestock Production -- October 3, Luling
- Texas New Fruit Growers Conference -- October 9-10, Fort Worth
- Greener Pastures in Regen Ag Workshop -- October 17, Winona
- IPPM for Controlled Environment Ag -- October 30, Dallas
- Resource: Texas Solar Shepherds Film
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A Farmer's Legal Guide to Humane Handling Requirements
September 12, 12-1 pm
The University of Arkansas is hosting a free opportunity to learn about humane handling best practices, the benefits of these methods, the legal requirements, and how farmers can support humane handling of livestock and poultry. Presenters include Chris Shaw, Cypress Valley Meat Company; Karly Anderson, Humane Handling Institute at the University of Wisconsin River Falls; Shawna Weimer, Center for Food Animal Wellbeing, University of Arkansas; and Margo Hale, National Center for Appropriate Technology. |
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Free Farm Business Webinars
September 18, 6 - 7 pm September 23, 6 - 7:30 pm
Texas Center for Local Food will feature several free farm business webinars this month. The 9/18 session will feature Hayley Wood on Practical Food Safety for Direct Sales the 9/23 session will discuss Small Farm Collaboration with Shakera Raygoza and Jessica Tullar Caroom presenting. |
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Keep Poop Off the Food and Other Helpful Produce Safety Tips
September 25, 9 am - 1 pm
Dripping Springs, TX
Join speaker Frankie Bayne at Hope Full Farm for a hands-on morning of food safety education. Frankie will cover the do’s and don’ts of keeping your fruits and veggies safe and delicious when it comes to water, amendments, tools, critters and farm infrastructure. It’s practical, engaging, and full of real-world tips you can put to work right away. Let’s grow smarter, safer food—together! |
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Developing Your Own Conservation Plan
September 25, 8 am - 3:30 pm
Laredo, TX
Join the South Texas Grazing Land Coalition for a hands-on opportunity to craft a conservation plan for your ranch with the guidance of seasoned grazers and technical advisors. Registration is free with lunch included. RSVP requested by 9/12. |
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SporeCorp Mushroom Cultivation Workshop Series
September 29, October 6 & October 13, 7 - 8:30 pm
Join the Central Texas Mycological Society for a 3-part beginner-friendly cultivation series. Instructor Ezlyh Gutierrez will guide you through building a home lab, inoculating and cloning mushrooms, and fruiting your very first harvest. No PhD, lab coat, or spaceship required, just curiosity, a little DIY spirit, and some disinfectant wipes. |
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Texas Grazing Network Mentor Applications
Due September 30
American Farmland Trust is recruiting new mentors and mentees for the Texas Grazing Network’s 2026 cohort. TGN is a peer-to-peer learning program helping ranchers understand and adopt regenerative practices through personalized one-on-one mentorship. Mentor applications are due September 30 and mentees can apply through January 15, 2026. |
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Diverse Solutions in Livestock Production
October 3, 8 am - 5 pm
Luling, TX
This hands-on workshop will cover the conservation and remediation practices at S3 Legacy Ranch with Deydra Steans. It will include a farm tour and discussion topics like site remediation, water access, land conservation and easements, erosion prevention, cover cropping and funding opportunities. $20 registration, lunch included.
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Texas New Fruit Growers Conference
October 9-10
Fort Worth, TX
Join Texas A&M Agrilife Fruit experts for a 2-day introduction to fruit growing in Texas. The conference includes a half day "Getting Started Class," hands-on demos of fruit and vineyard orchard management, and a tour of Goober Bub's Orchard and Bakery in Justin. |
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Greener Pastures in Regen Ag Workshop
October 17
Winona, TX
Join Small Producers Initiative & Understanding Ag at Southern Sunny Acres, a family-run pastured poultry operation expanding their locally-based direct sales business. The event will include a farm tour and cover topics including regenerative ag principles, pastured poultry efficiencies, marketing basics, income streams, and grant funding. $20 registration, lunch included. |
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IPPM for Controlled Environment Agriculture
October 30, 9 am - 4 pm
Dallas, TX
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center invites you to join them for morning presentations and afternoon tours about the latest research and future applications in Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management for Controlled Environment Agriculture Settings. Free event with pre-registration at the link.
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Resource Alert: Texas Solar Shepherds Short Film
Solar grazing is creating new opportunities for ranchers and young farmers across Texas. Watch the American Solar Grazing Association’s exciting new short film, “Texas Solar Shepherds,” that tells the story of solar grazing in the Lone Star State. You can watch the video here or check out the ASGA website for additional resources on best practices for solar grazing. |
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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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