EatGreenDFW iReporter

Pre-Conference Workshops

at the TOFGA Conference

The morning of Friday, February 17^th will be abuzz with learning opportunities! These great add-on workshops will provide in depth, specific information on these topics. Great for those just getting started or for someone wanting to go deeper.  Check them out!

Each workshop is from 8:30am to 11:30am. All will be at the Mesquite Conference center, except for the Butchering workshop noted below. All workshops are $50 per person.

New Farmer Workshop – Brad Stufflebeam & Jenny Stufflebeam of HOMEsweetFARM and Steve Carlson of Slow Money DFW

Getting started in farming? Thinking about getting started? This workshop is for you! Come learn what you need to get started in farming with those who have been successful. Learn what to do as well as what not to do along with some great business planning advice.

Aquaponics – Dave Pennington, SynergyFish

This workshop will provide an overview of aquaponics focusing on state-of-the-art technology for small-scale and commercial operations. By utilizing the fish waste to support a robust and stable biological system at the root zone, the major benefits of organic production are realized. Participants will learn in a classroom setting as well as in a hand-on setting building a 13 sq ft garden from an ‘IBC’ tote and common plumbing parts. Learn how to easily build a garden which efficiently waters itself and can produce as much as 4x the amount of food possible in a similar sized soil garden.

Food Policy Councils – Mark Winne, Community Food Security Coalition

This workshop will cover some of the basics of food policy councils as well as discussions about potentials for food policy councils and food policy work in Texas. Anyone involved in a food policy council, anyone interested in starting a food policy council, elected officials, community food workers, local government employees, grassroots organizers, and anyone interested in food policy is invited to attend the workshop. Learn more about speaking up and making your food system what you want it to be!

Butchering – Matt Hamilton, Genesis Beef and Local Yocal

This class will be a walk-through breakdown of a grass-fed beef carcass to give attendees a hands-on experience to learn cuts of beef, locations of, and variations of cuts of beef.  We will be discussing the difference between the commercial cuts of beef coming out of large plants know as boxed beef, custom processed beef cuts, and retail beef cuts.   Attendees will be learning how to talk to a custom processor to get the cuts that will get the most value out of their animal and provide their customers with products they want and can use.  Dress warm and wear non-slip shoes. Leather soles, open toes, or high heels will not be allowed into the cutting room for this class.  This workshop will be held at Local Yocal, 213 N. Tennessee in McKinney

The Ins and Outs of Serengeti Grazing: How to Survive the Drought and Make Money at the Same Time – Sabino Cortez, Erath Earth

This workshop will cover pasture fertility, stocking rates, water usage and irrigation, and vegetation.  An irrigation expert will be on hand during this workshop to answer questions and demonstrate proper techniques, as well as a rancher who has used this technique extensively.

Know What Comes First! Pastured Poultry Basics – Jules Assata, Shades of Green Farm

In an educational conversation, this workshop will provide participants with a solid foundation for raising chickens for meat and eggs, as well as more detailed information such as what a chicken sneeze sounds like and what to do about it. Instructor Jules Assata has her own experience raising chickens and eggs for sale along with training and support from the pastured poultry answer man Jeff Mattocks, of Fertrell Company. Jules also has training from the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group conference (SSAWG). It is through a grant from SSAWG that this class is offered at no cost to the first 30 participants.

Organic Certification – Leslie McKinnon, Organic Certification Consultation

This workshop will provide an overview of the organic certification process as well as information about how to proceed through the steps of the process. Record keeping materials will be available for an additional fee.

Register now!

The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA) annual conference on organic production will be held February 17 – 19, 2012 in Mesquite, Texas at the Mesquite Convention Center. TOFGA is the only statewide organization focused on the people who practice organic and sustainable agriculture in Texas. The conference is designed for market growers who are either already producing or want to learn about organic and sustainably raised produce, livestock, dairy, and grains. Workshop tracks include business issues, fruit and vegetable production, livestock production, and resource sustainability. Strong emphasis will be on strategies to survive the drought.

This year, a Gardener Track has been added for those who are avid backyard gardeners who do not necessarily sell what they grow. A vendor area will provide opportunities for attendees to meet business supporters of the organic agricultural industry in Texas. A large exhibit area will provide space for equipment vendor displays such as tractors, fencing, irrigation, and others.

Highlights of the conference will include pre-conference workshops, area farm tours, hands-on workshops with organic farming experts, panel discussions, interactive exhibitors, book sales, regional meet-ups, and the farm-to fork organic banquet on Saturday with a keynote address. The Keynote Speaker for the Saturday banquet will be Mark Winne, author of Food Rebels, Guerilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin’ Mamas: Fighting Back in the Age of Industrial Agriculture.

 Market producer’s workshops include topics such as

• Beating the Drought in Vegetable Production
• Fruit Production in North Texas
• Water Management Issues
• Grass Fed Beef Production
• Small livestock
• Integrated Pest Management
• Intensive Grazing

Gardener Track workshops include topics such as

• Organic vegetable gardening
• Edible ornamentals
• Vermiculture
• Garden design for pest control
• Utilizing low tunnels
• Backyard chickens

A must-attend event for organic ranchers, farmers, plant growers, retailers, wholesalers, consumers, gardeners, farmers market supporters and anyone desiring to support the organic industry in Texas.   Eating local in Texas starts on the farm.  Full conference registration starts at $135 for TOFGA members. The Gardener track Saturday only workshop is $70. Banquet tickets are $35 per person. Vendor spaces start at $300.  For more information on the schedule of events, or to register contact the TOFGA Office at 512-656-2456, or email admin@tofga.org or visit the website at  www.tofga.org.

Nancy Nichols over at D Magazine's Side Dish blog has posted an extensive list of local food producers,  "spotlighting those who make  food-related items one can purchase for gifts or serve at a gathering."  She promises to update the list twice a week and is looking for local producers to add.  Email her your suggestions.

Sustainable Farmers and Producers Needed - Local Food Home Delivery Company

 Greenling is a fast-growing, socially and environmentally responsible company born and raised in Central Texas. We are an online-based home delivery service.  We are proud to offer a full grocery store selection of fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery items, dry goods and artisan products. Our customers visit Greenling.com to place their order, and we pack and deliver them weekly.

Greenling is expanding to the DFW area, and is looking to source from local farmers and vendors who use organic and sustainable practices. If it’s a food item and it’s local and sustainably produced, we’re interested! Greenling is a values based company with a mission of working towards a sustainable future, and we have a deep commitment to supporting local producers and maintaining strict quality standards for the products we offer.

If your farm or business fits the bill, we can’t wait to hear from you! We invite you to check out Greenling.com to learn a little more about us, and send an email to Candy Hunke, Regional Buyer, at chunke@greenling.com for more information about becoming a vendor.

FOUR SEASONS MARKETS is organizing 3 Christmas Markets this year at the Campbell Road Village shopping center, centrally located on Campbell Road midway between SH 75 and Coit Road. The dates are:

Saturday, Nov 26 (10am to 4pm)
Saturday, Dec 3 (10am to 4pm)
Saturday, Dec 10 (10am to 4pm)

Nearly 40 vendors will offer you special Christmas deals and unique products.  Among the food vendors, there will be:   Terra Sienna (Grass fed beef), Big Al's Texas Rubs (Hot spices), Big Fatty's Flaming Foods (Smoked meat), Cita's Salsa (Homemade salsa), Double Throw Down (BBQ Food), Lucidos Pasta (Locally made pasta), El Sol Gourmet Foods (Spices and Seasonings), Empire Baking (Artisan breads), Fairhaven Vineyards (Texas wines), Florine Bowman Pastries (French/American Pastries), Little Delights coffee cube & kombucha (Beverages), Little John's Produce (Vegetables and fruits), Pasta N More (Pasta and olive oil), PennRoast Coffee Co (Locally roasted coffee), Bugtussle Burn (Salsa and Gift baskets), My Sister's Pantry (Pies, Cookies & Cakes), Rockstar Bakeshop (Whoopie pies) and Southern Heat (Homemade salsa and chips).

Non-food vendors will include:  7even Care (Scrubs),  Aliona K Jewelry (Handmade jewelry), Body Harmony (Eco friendly baskets and soaps), Chicken on Fire (Garden décor and jewelry), Choca Loca Designs (Jewelry and stationary), Colors of the Season (French hair wraps and bags), ES Ribbons (Hair accessories), The Gleaning Network (non-profit organization), Militant Hippie Farms LLC (Shea products), LittleBowPeepGirls (Hair accessories), Quilts by Marie (Handmade quilts), RAW Pottery (Handmade potteries), Roppy Designs (Recycled metal sculptures), Sacred Heart Soaps (Handmade soaps), Savannas Charms (Handmade jewelry), Stardust Soaps (Handmade soaps and lotions), Texas Curtsey (Home décor) and  Uptown Barkery (Dog treats).

The market replicates a European-style market where customers can not only meet local farmers, artisanal food producers and craftsmen, but sample and purchase their products in a colorful, family-friendly venue.

For more information, please visit http://www.fourseasonsmarkets.com


About Campbell Road Village

Campbell Road Village is a beautifully maintained 68,000sqft shopping center located in the heart of Richardson’s Telecom Corridor, across the street from UT Dallas.  It is the home location of Chocolate Angel, Beaucoup, Neha’s Fine China & Crystal, Bradbury Lane, Get Noticed, Little Lam Baby Boutique and 10 other tenants.
The address is: 635 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080