Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association September 2026 Newsletter |
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FREE Produce Safety Foundations Course
If the many food safety recalls this year have you wondering how you can keep your produce safe for your customers, this is for you. We're excited to announce the launch of a free virtual introductory course on Produce Safety Foundations for direct market producers! The self-paced course breaks down common produce safety risks and mitigation strategies to help keep our community healthy. Developed by TOFGA and Texas Center for Local Food, this course features practical advice from real Texas producers to help identify and address food safety concerns on your farm.
Also! Reminder that our call for conference session proposals is open through September 30. Looking forward to hearing your ideas for TOFGA 2027 and seeing you soon in Katy on January 31 - February 2.
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- Farm Success Webinar -- September 17, Virtual
- Edible Wildscapes -- September 17, Bellaire, TX
- Autumn Equinox Potluck -- September 20, Van Alstyne, TX
- Integrated Permaculture & Community Design -- September 23, Virtual
- National Organic Standards Board Fall Meeting -- Due by October 1
- Livestock Selection for Regenerative Grazing -- October 9, Decatur, TX
- Texas New Fruit Growers Conference -- October 15-16, Rosenberg, TX
- DIG Summit -- October 17-19, Dallas, TX
- Texas Permaculture Expo -- November 6-8, Athens, TX
- Food as Medicine Conference -- November 12, Hempstead, TX
- Final Opportunity to Access TOPP Resources for Organic Transition
- Special Thanks to Lindsay Gonzales!
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Farm Success Webinar: Conservation Stewardship Program September 17, 6-7:30 pm Virtual
This free webinar with Texas Center for Local Food will cover USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program eligibility, covered practices and activites, the application process, and producer benefits. |
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Edible Wildscapes September 17, 6:30-8 pm Bellaire, TX
Join Blackwood Educational Land Institute and Nature Discovery Center for a free family friendly session on edible wild plants and their health benefits. Part of Blackwood's Food as Medicine Series! |
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Autumn Equinox Potluck September 20, 5-8 pm Van Alstyne, TX
Welcome the new season at Sister Grove Farm with a potluck meal and conversation with 3 women in agriculture, including TOFGA Board Member Susie Marshall. Tickets start at $21. |
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Integrated Permaculture and Community Design September 23, 7-8 pm Virtual This virtual presentation from Urban Harvest will share how integrated permaculture principles are brought to life at Rainbow Bridge Permaculture Farm. |
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National Organic Standards Board Fall Meeting Public Comments due by Oct. 1 Virtual
The USDA National Organic Standards Board will hold their annual fall meeting to make recommendations on additions and deletions from the allowed/prohibited substance list and other organic policy. They're accepting written and oral public comments which are due by October 1. |
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Livestock Selection for Regenerative Grazing October 9, 9 am - 3 pm Decatur, TX
Hear from Jerry Addison, Jonathan Cobb, and Jake McNamara about selection criteria, culling policies, desired phenotypes and more for both cattle and sheep renerative grazing operations. Registration is $35. |
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Texas New Fruit Growers Conference October 15-16 Rosenberg, TX
This Texas A&M Agrilife event aims to educate new and prospective fruit growers through classroom instruction, experiential learning, and peer-to-peer networking. Includes a field trip to a commercial orchard in the area! Registration is $130. |
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DIG Summit October 17-19 Dallas, TX
Join growers, community activists, investors, educators, and food system practitioners for this year's DIG Summit! Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin will be the keynote and TOFGA Board Member Susie Marshall will present on Mitigating Food Borne Illness on Small Farms and Gardens. |
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Texas Permaculture Expo November 6-8 Athens, TX
The 3rd Annual Texas Permaculture Expo will bring together backyard gardeners, homesteaders, permaculture enthusiasts, and more for a weekend on hands-on workshops and demos. Early bird ticket pricing through October 1! |
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Food as Medicine Conference November 12, 9 am - 3:30 pm Hempstead, TX
This gathering will connect people creating integrative lifestyles and natural wellness soluations for a deeper dive into the concept of Food as Medicine. |
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Final Opportunity to Access TOPP Resources for Organic Transition
September is Organic Month, and the last chance for farmers exploring organic certification, or in transition, to access free resources such as webinars, videos, research and fact sheets from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Since 2022, TOPP has helped thousands of farmers transition to organic, connecting producers across the country with experienced mentors, technical assistance, educational opportunities and practical resources. |
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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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