Food Summit: A Farmer, Rancher & Community Event

Food Summit: A Farmer, Rancher, & Community Event

The 2025 Food Summit: A Farmer, Rancher, and Community Event is a dynamic gathering designed to move the Rio Grande Valley’s food system from vision to action. Over the past two years, this event has laid the groundwork for transformation—first by fostering critical conversations to develop the RGV Food System Vision, then by bringing together key stakeholders to showcase regional assets and opportunities. Now, in its third year, the Food Summit is focused on implementation—empowering farmers, ranchers, institutional buyers, policymakers, and community leaders to collaborate, launch initiatives, and take decisive action to strengthen the local food economy.

Over the course of one day, the Food Summit will spotlight real-world solutions through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, offering attendees the tools and relationships needed to drive change. Whether you are a producer looking to access new markets, an advocate working toward food justice, or a policymaker shaping regional food policy, this event provides an unparalleled space to connect, innovate, and take action toward a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous food system for all.

Breakfast and lunch will be served! Please join us after the event at El Almacén Creative Space (1101 E Adams St, Brownsville) to celebrate!

If the cost of a ticket is prohibitive, please email [email protected].

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La Cumbre Alimentaria 2025: Un evento de agricultores, ganaderos y la comunidad es una reunión dinámica diseñada para mover el sistema alimentario del Valle del Río Grande de la visión a la acción. Durante los últimos dos años, este evento ha sentado las bases para la transformación, primero promoviendo conversaciones críticas para desarrollar la Visión del Sistema Alimentario del RGV, y luego reuniendo a los actores clave para mostrar los bienes y oportunidades regionales. Ahora, en su tercer año, la Cumbre de la Alimentación se centra en la aplicación - el empoderamiento de los agricultores, ganaderos, compradores institucionales, políticos y líderes comunitarios para colaborar, poner en marcha iniciativas, y tomar medidas decisivas para fortalecer la economía alimentaria local.

A lo largo de uno día, la Cumbre Alimentaria pondrá de relieve soluciones del mundo real a través de presentaciones clave, paneles de discusión y sesiones interactivas, ofreciendo a los participantes las herramientas y las relaciones necesarias para impulsar el cambio. Si usted es un productor que busca acceder a nuevos mercados, un defensor que trabaja por la justicia alimentaria o un responsable político que da forma a la política alimentaria regional, este evento ofrece un espacio sin precedentes para conectar, innovar y tomar medidas hacia un sistema alimentario más resistente, equitativo y próspero para todos.

¡Se servirá desayuno y almuerzo! Favor de acompanarños después del evento en El Almacén Creative Space (1101 E Adams St, Brownsville) para celebrar!

Si el costo de la entrada es prohibitivo, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected].

Info: Access to capital is a major barrier for Rio Grande Valley farmers, ranchers, and food businesses, especially those operating on a smaller scale or in historically underrepresented communities. This panel will provide a region-specific look at funding opportunities, through federal programs, private investment, and community-based financing models. Panelists will share practical strategies for securing funding, what lenders and funders look for, and how to build financial resilience in the RGV agricultural sector.

Info: Rio Grande Valley producers face unique challenges when it comes to accessing consistent, fair, and profitable markets. From institutional procurement and retail partnerships to farmers markets and direct sales, understanding the landscape is essential for success. This panel will focus on real-world market opportunities in the RGV, what buyers are looking for, and how farmers and food businesses can build sustainable sales channels.

Info: Data is a powerful tool for strengthening the Rio Grande Valley’s agricultural economy and food system. Whether it’s mapping food access, tracking farm productivity, or advocating for policy change, intentional data collection can help farmers, food businesses, and communities tell their story and secure support. This panel will focus on how data can be used effectively in the RGV, practical tools that producers can access, and real-world applications of asset mapping, evaluation, and policy advocacy.

Info: RGV farmers and ranchers face numerous challenges, from accessing financial and technical resources to navigating labor shortages. This panel will highlight available programs, funding opportunities, and networks that can support the Rio Grande Valley Food System. Panelists will also discuss the impact of labor conditions on agriculture and share solutions for strengthening human capital in food systems.

Info: This is one of the most powerful conversations at the summit every year. Why? Because the next generation of RGV farmers, food advocates, and agricultural leaders are here, telling their stories. These students—some of whom grew up on farms, others who never thought about food systems before—will share their journeys in agriculture. They’ll discuss how farm-to-school programs, community gardens, and hands-on agricultural education have shaped their perspectives, career aspirations, and vision for the future of farming in the Rio Grande Valley.
This isn’t just about “youth engagement”—it’s about listening to the future leaders who will define what agriculture looks like in our region.

Host or Publisher Eco Health Institute and NCAT