TOFGA Region 6

This year’s TOFGA Conference will be unlike any other. We have put together an amazing program with expert speakers, sharing their experience and knowledge through in-depth, hands-on workshops. Over the next couple of weeks will be sharing some of workshops and sponsors that are making the 2020 conference happen.

Our first workshop highlight is:
💧All Things Irrigation💧
David Pitre, has been growing organic vegetables at Tecolote Farm since 1993 and boasts the longest running CSA in the south! In the workshop he will be covering everything from water source and quality, to the mechanics of water delivery, to plant uptake. Looking at irrigation systems and the variables that can influence crop health and productivity, we will discuss both planning new irrigation systems, as well as improving existing systems.

Register for the conference today to take advantage of our early bird pricing ending December 20th!
http://www.tofga.org/2020Conference

Time to start breeding our goats at NTCC Farm - they will all arrive in time to assist with Goat Yoga at our Springfest open farm in March! Meet Linus - our new fainting buck.

For those interested in small poultry and rabbit production - new bill passed to make this an option for us now!

Our FIFTH bill passed the Texas Legislature during its final weekend. HB 410 will allow small-scale farmers to process up to 500 rabbits and 1,000 chickens and turkeys annually on their farms.

This opens up important opportunities for farmers and increases access to locally raised meats for consumers!

Until now, small farmers were required to meet all the same regulations as industrial-scale processors who are processing hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of birds. Even scaled down, it meant building a $40,000-$50,000 facility, which was not feasible for small-scale producers.

Thank you to Representative James White for filing the rabbit bill and State Senator Nathan Johnson for fighting to get poultry added to it!

We'll send out more information on the new law -- and the other four local food bills that passed this session - this summer. Please sign up for email alerts and support our work at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/support/

Yay!!!! Just one more signature and a whole new option for cottage kitchens will be available at farmers markets!

Texas picklers get a victory from the Legislature A proposal on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott would make it easier for pickled beets, carrots and other produce to be easily sold at farmers’ markets alongside pickled cucumbers.

FYI -

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The ACEP, reauthorized through the 2018 Farm Bill, funds easements for agricultural lands and wetlands. Contact your local NRCS agent to apply. Applications due by April 30th!
To learn more >>https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/
To find your local NRCS agent >>https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs

If you’ve never tuned in to Joe - here’s a great one on starting seeds!

How to Start and Care for Seedlings | Steps to Success | joe gardener® Know how to start and care for seedlings until ready to plant outside including best soil, watering, lighting, heat mats, fertilizing, transplanting & more.