Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association February 2026 Newsletter |
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Happy Valentines Day from TOFGA to You!
Why are we talking about potatoes and love? Beyond obviously loving this starchy tuber, it's because here in Texas, this is the ideal time for potato planting! Whether you are in North, Central, or East Texas, you can find tips for your tots.
If you're attending the Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Growers Conference on February 17, come say hello to TOFGA! We are a proud sponsor and although registration is already full for this event, we'd love for you to come by.
This will be the first of several events that TOFGA will co-sponsor this year as we travel around Texas getting to know the different regions better.
Keep an eye out here and on our social media as we finalize the details for more events around the state this year and for the return of the TOFGA conference in 2027!
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- Tomato and Pepper Workshop -- February 14, Houston
- Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund -- Due February 17
- Advanced Farm Bookkeeping Webinar -- February 19, Virtual
- East Texas Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Conference -- February 20, Tyler
- Small Farm Aggregation Webinar -- February 26, Virtual
- Mushroom Gardening 101 -- March 5, Bastrop
- SPI Workshop at The Wild Farm -- March 7, San Antonio
- Farmshare Austin Spring Plant Sale -- March 14, Cedar Creek
- SFFFS Conference Call for Proposals -- Due March 21
- Farmshare Austin Farmer Starter Applications -- Due March 29
- Funding Opportunity - USDA Value Added Producer Grant -- Due April 15
- Community Science Opportunity -- Project Ground Nesting Bee
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Tomato and Pepper Workshop
February 14, 10-11:30 am Houston
This class will focus on tips and tricks for growing tomatoes and peppers with Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Janice Brown. Registration is $20.
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Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
Due February 17
This small grant program provides $1000-$5000 awards to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Applications must include proof of military service and a business plan.
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Advanced Farm Bookkeeping Webinar
February 19, 5 - 6:30 pm Virtual
In preparation for tax season, Good Agriculture is offering this free financial webinar that will cover cash flows, profitibility by product, monthly books and financial analysis, and more! |
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East Texas Fruit, Nut, and Vegetable Conference
February 20, 8 am - 12:15 pm Tyler
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension will host a morning of presentations on southern peas, pecans, grapes, specialty fruits, with research-based information tailored to East Texas growing conditions. Registration is $20 online or $30 at the door. |
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Small Farm Aggregation Webinar
February 26, 5:30 - 6:30 pm Virtual
Texas Center for Local Food is hosting a free opportunity to learn from experienced aggregators from around the country. Panelists will include Angel Mendez, Katie Nixon, and Sheri Howard. |
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Mushroom Gardening 101
March 5, 7-9 pm Bastrop
Join Angel Schatz of Central Texas Mycological Society for a free program about fungi's ecological role and ways to upcycle mushroom blocks.
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SPI Workshop at The Wild Farm
March 7, 9 am - 12 pm San Antonio
Small Producers Initative will co-host a free community workshop at The Wild Farm, an innovative 2-acre urban farm. The workshop will cover basic principles of soil health and regenerative agriculture.
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Farmshare Austin Spring Plant Sale
March 14, 11 am - 3 pm Cedar Creek, TX
Farmshare Austin will be selling certified organic vegetable and herb transplants to support their beginning farmer training and community food access programs. |
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Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference Call for Proposals
Due March 21
The SFFFS Conference organizers are accepting proposals for educational presentations at their upcoming annual conference (August 3-4, 2026). |
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Farmshare Austin Farmer Starter Applications
Due March 29
Farmer Starter is a hands-on, 5-month program designed to launch sustainable farming careers. Students gain practical experience in organic and regenerative farming while building skills to start and run a successful farm business.
Applications are open through March 29 for the Fall Farmer Starter season (August 5–December 17). |
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Funding Opportunity - USDA Value Added Producer Grant
Due April 15, 2026
USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps producers add value to the products they grow or raise.
Awards can support planning activities, like marketing plans and feasibility studies, or working capital needs, like packaging, advertising, and salaries. Learn more at your local USDA Rural Development office or through the link below. |
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Community Science Opportunity - Project Ground Nesting Bee
Cornell's Ground Nesting Bees Project invites you to help collect data on native bee populations and their nesting sites! This data will help scientists better understand native bees and how to protect them in our local environments. Many bees nest in large aggregations. You can help by looking for flight activity in early spring through late summer and for entrances in grass and soil as indicators of bee activity. Contribute to the data by uploading a photo of a bee entering or exiting its nest to iNaturalist! |
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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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