Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association

July 2026 Newsletter

TOFGA Conference is Back!

After a much needed fallow year, we're pleased to head to Katy for the 33rd TOFGA Conference! Save the date for January 31 - February 2, 2027!

We're excited to reconnect with you for 3 days of learning and building agricultural community through farm tours, workshops and presentations, seed swap, trivia, and more. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Invertebrates in the Pasture Webinar -- July 15, Virtual
Practical Produce Safety Workshop -- July 18, Houston
Farmland Succession Cafe -- July 29, Virtual
FSA County Committee Nominations -- Due August 3
SFFFS Conference -- August 3-4, San Marcos
Organic Cotton and Peanut Tour -- August 19, Seminole
Drought, Grass, & Profit Webinar -- August 26, Virtual
Groundwork Farmer Training Program -- September 13, Hybrid
Central Texas Farm Incubator -- Due September 15
Call for Speakers: Food & Nature Education Conference -- San Antonio
Resource: New World Screwworm Update for TX Organic Producers

Invertebrates in the Pasture Webinar

July 15, 12-1 pm

Virtual

Get to know the tiny conservation co-conspirators that fly, crawl, squirm, and creep through your fields and gardens! This free webinar is a partnership between the Wisconsin Women in Conservation and the Xerces Society.

RSVP HERE!

Practical Produce Safety Workshop

July 18, 10 am - 12 pm

Houston

Join TOFGA at Finca Tres Robles for a free 2-hour session pairing practical tips for on-farm produce safety with a farm tour to see those principles in action! Let’s grow smarter, safer food—together!

Farmland Succession Cafe

July 29, 9-10 am

Virtual

Join American Farmland Trust for a relaxed virtual gathering to explore key aspects of succession planning in a friendly, welcoming environment. Topics will include succession basics, community land trust models and long term protection options.

FSA County Committee Nominations

Due August 3

Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees.These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2026 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 3, 2026.

READ MORE HERE!

Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference

August 3-4

San Marcos

A 2-day extravaganza of learning, sharing knowledge, and exploring useful resources with growers, producers, and local food advocates. Check out the TOFGA Food Safety track and pre-conference workshop on Writing a Food Safety Plan!

Organic Cotton and Peanut Tour

August 19

Seminole, TX

Join producers, specialists and researchers for an enlightening tour of organic cotton and peanut farms. The day will include presentations from Agrilife Research and Extension and will conclude with a sponsored lunch.

MORE INFO HERE!

Drought, Grass, & Profit Webinar

August 26, 12:30-2 pm

Virtual

In this free webinar, Tom Sidwell of JX Ranch will share lessons from more than two decades of planned grazing to improve land health, increase carrying capacity, boost grass production and water infiltration, and build a profitable ranch business in a region where rainfall is scarce and unpredictable.

Groundwork Farmer Training Program

September 13 - December 11

Hybrid

The Council for Healthy Food Systems' 12-week program combines asynchronous online learning, live Zoom webinars and calls, and three in-person on-farm learning days designed to support beginning and expanding farmers in Central Texas.

LEARN MORE HERE!

Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative

Due September 15

The Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative provides beginning farmers with access to land, infrastructure, mentorship, business training and marketing outlets to bridge barriers to starting and sustaining a farm. Applications for the 2027 season are due on 9/15!