TOFGA (Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association) is participating in a $22,000 research grant as part of the Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education Program. This is the first step in expanding the public awareness and availability of locally grown sustainable and organic products in Texas.
This grant's purpose is to be the first step in attaining larger grants for public education and awareness. The first step in this process is currently occuring as TOFGA hosts focus groups divided into consumers and growers or those interested in growing for public consumption.
The District 2 focus group took place at the Dallas Farmers Market on January 17th where I attended and participated in the consumer focus group. There were only 5 consumers participating, however many more growers were there. This is good as the public demand for organics is continuing to grow and the supply is fairly limited.
From these focus groups, survey questionnaires will be developed and mailed throughout the state. This process will take several months as there are 3 more focus groups to go. The survey will be mailed out shortly thereafter.
The survey results will be posted on the website for TOFGA, www.texasorganicgrowers.org, in about a year. This will include all sustainable education, including cleaning supplies, clothing etc. Congratulations to TOFGA for their grant and support to our future.
In the meantime, we can continue to help share the benefits of organics with others and pass along information. The website www.organicconsumers.org
is a good starting point for information.