Spring North Texas Farm-to-Table Symposium
February 18, 2020
“The revolution will not be pasteurized!”
Our first Symposium of the year affirmed that the local food movement is gaining steam and stronger than ever! Local farmers, ranchers, artisans, county extensions agents, and advocates packed the Grand Ballroom to network, make new friends, and catch up with old ones.
The keynote was provided by Judith McGeary, founder and Executive Director of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Texas that advocates on the state and national level for small-scale independent family farmers. Soon after establishing her private law practice, Judith became a passionate advocate of sustainable agriculture, and she and her husband established their own livestock farm. After seeing how government regulations benefit industrial agriculture at the expense of family farms, she founded FARFA to promote common-sense policies for local, diversified agricultural systems. Judith has been profiled in the Texas Observer and Edible Austin, and appeared in the documentary “Farmageddon.”
During last year’s Texas Legislative Session, Judith led the grassroots effort to pass 5 new pieces of legislation in support of local food producers, including expansion of the Texas Cottage Foods Law and restrictions on permit fees for farmers’ market vendors. These new laws and FARFA’s ongoing legislative efforts were the focus of her keynote.
Chef Andrea and the team at Harvest served up a fantastic menu featuring grass-fed meatloaf and pork belly fritters, winter lettuce salad, and roasted vegetables. We want to thank the following local farmers for contributing to the meal:
Thank you also to McKinney brewery TUPPS and nearby Ironroot Republic for providing the libations. Gorgeous winter flower arrangements were provided by Amanda Vanhoozier of nearby Bishop Hill Flower Farm.
The next event coming up for our farmers will be our fifth Annual Chef and Farmer Potluck on May 24th, held at Water Boy Farms. Often referred to as the best meal of the year, this event aims to acquaint area chefs and farmers over a meal, while providing the opportunity to show off their products and skills in their dishes. The potluck is by invitation only, please email meg@spftx.org if you’re interested in attending.
Our fall Symposium will be held on November 10th, and we’re excited to announce we’ll be hosting Ben Hartman, owner and farmer of Clay Bottom Farm and author of The Lean Farm. Registration will open in October.