Calling all farmers and ranchers
Farm group seeks Ennis members
A group with a vested interest in uniting North Texas consumers with local farmers producing organic and naturally grown foods has been started.
Jackie King, organizer of the Farmer-Rancher Network, said she is hoping to extend the outreach of her association to Ellis and Navarro Counties, particularly to Ennis area agricultural producers. King is on the board of the Friends of the Dallas Farmers Market, serving as farm liaison.
On Saturday, the Farmer-Rancher Network met at Corsicana’s Gander Mountain Lodge where King updated the group with the latest news about DFW marketing opportunities for organic and naturally grown meats, cheeses, eggs and produce.
Of her interest in organics, she said they are just simply better.
“To me it is a matter of obtaining a more dense source of nutrition
and the products look good too,” she said. “Organics and naturally grown products have proven that they can provide both.”
At the Corsicana meeting, King announced an upcoming Field Day to Iola, Texas in April where members will learn about “natural, low-input intensive grazing techniques.”
At the Corsicana meeting, attended by several Ellis County producers, Fran Sweet of Fran’s Fryers delivered a talk about the USDA Poultry Processing Plant he owns.
Another guest speaker, Toni Johns of the Dallas Farmers Market, outlined upgrades taking place now and “increased accommodations being extended to local farmers and ranchers.”
King said plans are being made for a March meeting and encourages Ennis and Ennis area farmers, ranchers and consumers to contact her about their interests and ideas.
Topics for the next meeting, she said, will include “utilizing organic soil fertility techniques, identifying food buying co-ops, and exploring formation of a cooperative buying group.”
“The purpose of the meetings,” King explained, “is to connect consumers seeking organic and naturally grown foods with local producers, and to assist producers who want to diversify their markets and improve sustainability of their farms and ranches.”
King lives with her husband Don on a ranch near Dawson –– “80 acres certified organic and 43 acres almost certified,” she said.
The meetings of the farmer-Rancher Network are open to all interested in the subject of organic farming.
For information about meetings, contact King at popacres@peoplepc.com or (903) 673-1435.
Comments
Posted by 
