The fourth annual Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference, held from August 7 through 9 on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos, is presented by Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance Council for Healthy Food Systems Texas State University small producers initiative. The focus is on educational and networking opportunities for producers, consumers, and supporters of sustainably grown, locally sourced foods. Participants will discover how their voices and actions can create long-lasting change.

A Monday evening dinner and keynote features Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, founder of the Regenerative Poultry Cooperative and president of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, a Minnesota-based organization that creates partnerships within agricultural supply chains with a focus on regenerative practices and ecosystem management.

Highlights include more than 40 topics on Monday and Tuesday; small-group Q&A with knowledgeable experts; social hour opportunities for mixing and mingling; four pre-conference workshops with tracks for livestock, crops, policy and social issues, technology, finance/business/marketing, research and topics for homesteaders and startups covering basic bee husbandry, wholesale readiness; direct marketing of meat, poultry, eggs and soil health; and an exhibit hall with experts on equipment and tools, soil-building products and enhanced farming skills.

For more information, call 254-697-2661 or visit SouthernFamilyFarmersConference.org.