Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers

06/18/2026

🌱 Featured Farmer: Tonya Cryer!

After leaving behind a career in Hollywood, Tonya Cryer returned to her family’s land in rural Louisiana with a mission: build a farm rooted in soil health, biodiversity, and organic growing practices. Through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), she’s learning no-till farming, working toward USDA organic certification, and continuing a family farming legacy that spans more than 100 years. 🚜🌼

Today, instead of early Hollywood production call times, Tonya starts her mornings walking the land and growing the future of farming.

👉 Read Tonya’s full story and follow her journey to organic certification: https://foginfo.org/trading-places-tonga-cryer-swapped-hollywood-sets-for-organic-growing-in-rural-louisiana/

Farmers Index Cryer's Family Produce

06/16/2026

🌱 **LAST CALL: Growing Stronger Together!** 🌱

Don’t miss your chance to join us this Wednesday, June 17 (9 AM – 4 PM) at Pegasus Manor in Eustis, FL for a full day of learning, connection, and practical organic farming insights.

"Growing Stronger Together: A Symposium on Organic Solutions for Farmers and Growers," is bringing together growers, educators, and ag professionals for real-world, actionable takeaways—including:

✅ Soil health & irrigation strategies
✅ Effective w**d management practices
✅ A farmer panel on costs, inputs & challenges
✅ Tips for accessing markets & scaling your operation

🍽️ Lunch & refreshments included
🎟️ FREE registration – but space is limited!

Whether you're transitioning to organic or already growing, this is your opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen your farm for the future!

👉 Register now before spots fill up!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-stronger-together-organic-farming-solutions-tickets-1987654054784
Let’s grow stronger—together. 🌿

06/15/2026

🍄 NEW WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: The Business of Organic Mushrooms!

Curious about what it takes to build a successful organic mushroom business?

Join Florida Organic Growers for a virtual conversation with GGF Specialty Mushrooms — a certified organic operation in Palm Beach County producing premium, chef-grade mushrooms using innovative and sustainable growing practices.

Hear directly from founders Claudio Gómez De La Vega and Joseph Chammas as they share the real-world journey behind building and scaling a successful organic mushroom farm in Florida.

✅ Learn about organic mushroom cultivation techniques
✅ Explore the certification process and maintaining organic standards
✅ Gain insights into business growth and market opportunities
✅ Hear lessons learned from an established Florida operation

Whether you're an aspiring grower, food entrepreneur, farmer, or simply mushroom-curious, this webinar offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in organic agriculture.

🗓 June 26
⏰ 12 PM CT
💻 Virtual Event
🎥 Recording available after the webinar on FOG’s YouTube channel

👉 Register today and grow your knowledge of organic mushroom production:
https://bit.ly/3PWcOL0

06/13/2026

🌿 NEW WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Pest Management for Organic Farming Systems in Florida

Managing pests in Florida’s growing conditions takes more than a one-size-fits-all approach. 🌱

Join Florida Organic Growers (FOG), Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), and the University of Florida for a hands-on workshop focused on practical, organic pest management strategies that support healthy crops, soil, and ecosystems.

✅ Learn the fundamentals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
✅ Identify common Florida crop pests and early warning signs
✅ Explore crop rotation, habitat diversification, and beneficial insects
✅ Discover organic-approved pest control methods and when to use them
✅ Connect with fellow growers and agricultural professionals

Whether you’re transitioning to organic or looking to strengthen your current growing practices, this workshop will provide region-specific tools you can apply directly to your operation.

📍 UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center — Apopka, FL
🗓 June 25
⏰ 10 AM – 1 PM

☀️ Please dress for outdoor farm conditions: hats, sunscreen, close-toed shoes, and water bottles encouraged.

👉 Reserve your spot today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pest-management-for-organic-farming-systems-in-florida-tickets-1990792561141

06/12/2026

🌿 Support for Local Meat & Poultry Processors

Stronger local food systems start with the infrastructure behind them.
The USDA announced a Small Processors Action Plan along with $60 million in funding to support small and very small meat and poultry processors—helping them grow, navigate regulations more easily, and expand local processing capacity.

For Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and food businesses, this matters.
✅ More local processing = stronger regional supply chains
✅ Expanded access = more opportunities for small and mid-sized producers
✅ Investments = a more resilient, community-based food system

At Florida Organic Growers, we know that supporting small-scale, locally rooted operations is key to strengthening our food system from the ground up.

👉 If you’re a processor or producer, explore USDA’s Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program and other resources now open for applications.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/41a53f2

USDA Announces Improved Support, Reduced Burdens, and $60 million in Investments to Support Small Meat and Poultry Plants USDA Office of Communications sent this bulletin at 06/03/2026 06:42 PM EDT View as a webpage / Share Office of Communications | [email protected] USDA Announces Improved Support, R...

06/11/2026

🌿 Speaker Highlight: Mike Garcia!

We’re excited to welcome Mike Garcia, owner and operator of Everoak Farm in Orlando, to Growing Stronger Together: Organic Farming Solutions!

Mike is a self-taught, first-generation farmer whose work is deeply rooted in sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming practices. Before entering agriculture, Mike spent more than a decade in the hospitality industry after formally training in culinary school. His culinary background shaped his understanding of food quality, flavor, and the importance of a resilient local food system.

Driven by a desire to reconnect with the land, Mike transitioned from the kitchen to farming, embracing a holistic approach grounded in agroecology. At Everoak Farm, he integrates bio-intensive market gardening, agroforestry, pasture-raised poultry, and composting to build healthy soils, increase biodiversity, and grow nutrient-dense food.

Mike’s experience blending culinary expertise with regenerative farming offers a unique perspective on sustainability, soil stewardship, and creating healthier food systems from the ground up.

📍 Growing Stronger Together: Organic Farming Solutions
📅 June 17, 2026
📍 Pegasus Manor, Eustis, FL
🎟️ Registration is free: https://bit.ly/3PWbKGG

06/10/2026

🌱 ONE WEEK AWAY — RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Florida growers, educators, and ag professionals — don’t miss your chance to join us for Growing Stronger Together: A Symposium on Organic Solutions for Farmers and Growers in Eustis, FL.

⚠️ Spots are limited and filling quickly. Registration is FREE.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
✅ Practical irrigation + water management strategies
✅ Soil health solutions designed for Florida growing conditions
✅ New w**d management best practices
✅ Real-world farmer insights on costs, inputs, and in-field challenges
✅ Tips for scaling your operation + accessing new markets
✅ Meaningful networking with growers and agricultural professionals

Whether you’re transitioning to organic, looking to strengthen your farm operation, or simply wanting to connect with others in the industry — this is a conversation you’ll want a seat at. 🌿

📍 Pegasus Manor — Eustis, FL
🗓 June 17 | 9 AM–4 PM
🍽 Lunch + refreshments provided

👉 Reserve your free spot now before registration closes!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-stronger-together-organic-farming-solutions-tickets-1987654054784

06/10/2026

Join fellow farmers, ranchers, and nursery growers at UF/IFAS Extension Martin County to connect with one another and with some of our region's agribusiness resource organizations, including UF/IFAS Extension, the IRSC Small Business Development Center, and Florida Organic Growers. To learn more or register, visit https://tinyurl.com/GrowerMtgJune26
Florida SBDC at IRSC
Martin County Farm Bureau
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers

06/09/2026

🌱 Facing Drought? Support Is Available

Across the country, many farmers and ranchers are navigating the challenges of drought—impacting crops, livestock, and the health of our land. USDA offers a range of programs that can help producers manage losses, access emergency support, and strengthen their operations for the future, including:

-Assistance for livestock and forage losses
-Financial and technical support for conservation practices
-Resources to restore farmland and improve water management

Practices like cover cropping, soil health management, and efficient water use—core to organic and sustainable farming—can also help farms stay resilient in tough conditions.

👉 If you’re impacted by drought, we encourage you to connect with your local USDA Service Center to explore available resources.

USDA has a team of dedicated people and a suite of programs that can help you recover from drought losses, reduce future risk or prepare your operation for the future.

06/08/2026

We’re excited to welcome John Bitter to the June 17 Symposium!

John is a longtime organic farmer and co-owner of Frog Song Organics in Alachua County, where he has spent nearly two decades growing a diverse range of crops using regenerative practices like cover cropping. A former Organic Inspector, John brings deep insight into the standards—and possibilities—of organic production.

After gaining experience in California’s advanced organic farming systems, John returned to Florida to challenge the idea that organic farming isn’t viable here. Today, his work demonstrates what *is* possible—helping to build resilient, economically viable food systems in our region.

Join us to learn from his experience in making organic agriculture work in Florida.

📅 June 17th
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-stronger-together-organic-farming-solutions-tickets-1987654054784