NCAT Heading to Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference

By Luz Ballesteros Gonzalez, NCAT Agriculture Specialist

We have saved the date! This August 7-9, 2022, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) specialists will be presenting at the 2022 Southern Family Farmers and Food System Conference. They will be covering topics ranging from soil health and carbon planning to livestock and horticulture. Additionally, they will be available to answer any questions about the following NCAT projects:

• ATTRA: The sustainable agriculture program committed to providing high-value information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
• Soil for Water: A program committed to supporting farmers, ranchers, and land managers across the United States who are taking steps to catch and hold more water in the soil.
• AgriSolar Clearinghouse: A nationwide hub developed to connect businesses, landowners, and researchers with trusted resources to support the growth of co-located solar and sustainable agriculture, also known as agrivoltaic development.
• Armed to Farm: A sustainable agriculture training program for military veterans.

NCAT’s Southwest Regional Office has been involved with professors at the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Texas State University since 2015 to help develop the  Small Producers Initiative (SPI). The annual SPI and Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) conferences have merged with the Council for Healthy Food Systems (CHFS) to become the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference. It is one of two annual conferences in Texas dedicated to small, mid-sized, and beginning farmers.

This conference serves as an educational and networking opportunity for the producers, consumers, and supporters of sustainably grown, locally sourced foods. This year’s keynote speaker is Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, president of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, a Minnesota-based organization that creates partnerships within agricultural supply chains focusing on regenerative practices and ecosystem management. In line with NCAT’s values, this conference is committed to building regenerative food and agriculture systems that deliver social, economic, and ecological benefits.

To learn more about the variety of topics that will be covered and to register, check out the  Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance website.