FRESH TRAYS Farm to School

Ranching is tough—but you don’t have to face the stress alone. The Texas Department of Agriculture is here to support our ag families. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out. Help is here, and hope is real.

If you or any loved ones are in need of help, call 833-897-2474 for the free and confidential AgriStress Helpline.

Here is the link to our new and updated AgriStress Helpline page with access to all of our resources: https://texasagriculture.gov/.../SORH.../AgriStress-Helpline

There is a special opportunity to receive financial aid for Texas processors. USDA Rural Development has opened Phase Four of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Grant Program. With $60 million available nationwide, this program supports expanding local processing capacity, strengthening the beef industry, and opening new market opportunities. Eligible Texas facilities that primarily process cattle can apply for funding to purchase equipment or expand operations.

Applications are open until August 7, 2026.

Learn more and apply: https://aamp.com/page/grants

🌱 Join FRESH TRAYS at the 2026 Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference! 🌱

We're excited to announce that the FRESH TRAYS Producer Training has been selected as an official pre-conference workshop for the 2026 Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference!

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
📍 LBJ Student Center, Texas State University
📍 San Marcos, Texas

This one-day workshop is designed to help farmers, ranchers, and food producers learn how to successfully sell local products to schools and childcare centers through Farm to School programs. Participants will gain practical knowledge about school procurement, marketing opportunities, food safety considerations, and building relationships with school nutrition professionals.

In addition to hosting the pre-conference workshop, the FRESH TRAYS team will have an exhibitor booth throughout the conference on August 3–4. Be sure to stop by and learn how FRESH TRAYS is helping Texas producers expand market opportunities while bringing fresh, local foods to children across the state.

The Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference brings together farmers, ranchers, landowners, educators, students, food advocates, and industry professionals for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration.

Conference highlights include:
🌾 Educational sessions across 7 learning tracks
🐄 Hands-on workshops and Grazing School
🎤 Inspiring keynote speakers
🤝 60+ exhibitors and organizations
🎶 Local food, networking, and community-building opportunities

Whether you're new to Farm to School or looking to expand your local food markets, we invite you to join us in San Marcos this August!

🎟️ Early-bird registration is now available.

Learn more: https://www.southernfamilyfarmersconference.org/

New World screwworm has been detected in Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife is prepared for this moment, and our experts are ready to help. Here's what you need to know right now.
Inspect, report and stay informed with us at tx.ag/screwworm.
Texas Animal Health Commission | Texas Parks and Wildlife

New World Screwworm - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service In response to the increased activity in Mexico regarding New World screwworm, Texas A&M AgriLife provides research-backed information to Texas citizens.

We are working on another great program! Registration is now open.

Attention Producers!

As summer begins, many Texas children continue to rely on school meal programs for access to nutritious food. The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meal Site Map is a helpful tool to locate summer lunch programs across the state.

If you are looking to better understand where summer meal sites are operating—or identify opportunities to connect with local programs serving children in your area—you can explore the map on www.squaremeals.org/Programs/Summer-Meal-Programs

This is a great resource for staying informed and supporting efforts to keep fresh, local food available to Texas kids all summer long.

🥚🌱 Producer Spotlight: My Lady’s Farm 🌱🥚

Located in Cameron, My Lady’s Farm is a proud first-generation farming operation excited to be part of the FRESH TRAYS program! Their farm is dedicated to raising pasture-raised laying hens and producing fresh, high-quality eggs for local communities.

At the heart of their mission is a commitment to bringing fresh eggs back to school cafeterias — giving children the opportunity to enjoy better quality food with freshness and flavor in every dish. My Lady’s Farm believes students deserve nutritious, locally produced meals that support both their health and Texas agriculture.

We are proud to spotlight My Lady’s Farm as a Farm to School Ready producer helping connect local farms to local schools across Texas! 💚🐓

CONTACT:
Manuel Estrada
Owner/Founder of My Lady Farm
737-837-5352
myladysfarm.com
[email protected]

Some years, black flies are barely noticeable. Other years, they’re hard to ignore. 🪰

Dr. Sonja Swiger, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist and professor in Texas A&M Entomology, says outbreaks of these flies often occur after heavy rainfall events.

Read more from Sonja Swiger in Southern Living: https://bit.ly/4ckWqMw

🌾 PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT 🌾

We are proud to spotlight the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project as a valued FRESH TRAYS Farm to School Ready producer!

The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project is a Lipan Apache-led nonprofit dedicated to restoring buffalo to Indigenous lands while promoting regenerative agriculture, cultural preservation, and food sovereignty in Texas. Through their work, they are helping strengthen local food systems and reconnect communities with traditional foodways and sustainable land stewardship practices.

Their commitment to education, sustainability, and producing high-quality local products makes them an incredible partner in the Farm to School movement.

Learn more about their mission and follow their journey:
🌐 www.texastribalbuffaloproject.org

Follow them on social media:
Instagram:
Facebook:
TikTok:

We are excited to spotlight Barnard Beef Cattle Company as a FRESH TRAYS Farm to Kid Ready Producer!

The Barnard family has been ranching in Central Texas for more than 100 years, providing high-quality local beef while remaining deeply committed to agriculture, family, and community.

Located in Coryell County between Waco and Gatesville, Barnard Beef proudly serves families across Texas with locally raised beef and other farm products. Their passion for transparency, quality, and connecting consumers with local agriculture makes them a tremendous partner in Farm to School efforts.

Thank you, Barnard Beef, for helping strengthen local food systems and support Texas students through Farm to School initiatives! 🥩⭐🌱