Small Producers Initiative

⏳ We’re less than ONE MONTH away from the Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference!

There’s still time to join us — including early bird pricing and financial aid applications!

Join us and don’t miss out an opportunity to:

✅ Learn from 100+ farmers, ranchers, researchers, and industry experts
✅ Choose from 50+ practical sessions covering livestock, crops, business, soil health, marketing, and more
✅ Connect with community organizations, businesses, and service providers in the Exhibit Hall
✅ Discover funding opportunities, technical assistance, and resources to support your operation
✅ Leave with practical strategies and actionable ideas you can put to work right away

Register today and secure your spot — we can’t wait to see you this August at Texas State University!

🔗 Register and learn more through the link in our bio.

🌱 Can the way we graze cattle improve our soils, support wildlife, and strengthen the future of our farms?

SPI is excited to partner with American Farmland Trust to host a screening of Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there) on Sunday, August 2 in San Marcos!

This acclaimed documentary follows ranchers and scientists as they compare adaptive and conventional grazing practices through years of real-world research.

The evening includes:
🍽️ Dinner & reception
🎬 Film screening
💬 Live Q&A with director Peter Byck and local farmers

📅 Sunday, August 2 | 5:30 PM
📍 The Price Center | San Marcos, TX
💲 Just $10

Whether you’re a farmer, rancher, landowner, student, or simply curious about the future of agriculture, we hope you’ll join us for a great evening of learning and conversation!

🎟️ Limited seating—reserve your spot today: bit.ly/4uQsWvK

🤝 Come for Knowledge, Leave with Your People 🤝

Some of the most valuable parts of the Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference happen outside the classroom — over coffee, during a shared meal, or in conversations with someone who understands the challenges and joys of working in agriculture.

Meet new collaborators, find mentors and resources, reconnect with old friends, and become part of a statewide community at these networking events:

🇺🇸 Farmer Veteran Coalition Breakfast
🌱 Community Seed Social with Central Texas Seed Savers
☕ FARFA Coffee & Community
🏛️ Exhibit Hall (60+ vendors)
🔬 OFRF Networking Session
🥂 Gather & Graze featuring music, drinks and dinner!

Visit the Events page on the conference website to see a full description of each gathering: https://www.southernfamilyfarmersconference.org/2026events

We can’t wait to see you!

The Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference
Aug 3-4 (M-T)
San Marco, TX

🔬 CALL FOR RESEARCHERS 🔬

Share your research with farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals at the 2026 Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference, taking place August 3–4 at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

The Small Producers Initiative is seeking faculty, staff, student, and professional researchers from all food and agriculture-related disciplines to participate in our Research Track and Poster Session. Applied research with practical relevance to producers is strongly encouraged.

With more than 50% of conference attendees being farmers and ranchers, this is a unique opportunity to share your work directly with the people who can put research into practice.

Researchers may apply to:
✔ Deliver a 30-minute oral presentation
✔ Present a research poster
✔ Participate in both opportunities

📅 Research application deadline: July 10, 2026

https://www.southernfamilyfarmersconference.org/research

💰 FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE 💰

Applications are now open for financial assistance to attend the 2026 Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference!

We are offering financial assistance for eligible producers from across the Southern United States. 

Selected applicants will receive access to reduced registration rates and/or travel stipends.

⏰ Application Deadline: July 10, 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and award notifications will be sent until available funds have been exhausted. Because funding is limited, we encourage interested producers to apply early.

Please note:
• Conference financial aid does not include pre-conference workshops. 
• Gather & Graze tickets are sold separately.
• Applicants not selected for financial aid may still receive access to Early Bird registration rates, even after the Early Bird deadline has passed.

Learn more and apply today at https://www.southernfamilyfarmersconference.org/financial-aid