Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) is a national organization that supports independent family farmers and protects a healthy and productive food supply for American consumers. FARFA promotes common sense policies for local, diversified agricultural systems.
The Seed Project Foundation is proud to sponsor FARFA’s annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference in McKinney on September 24-26. This unique conference focuses on the policies and regulations affecting our farms and our food as well as the latest developments in sustainable agriculture. Whether you are a farmer, consumer, chef, local foods business owner, or nonprofit advocate, you will find useful information and tools to help support the growth of the local and sustainable food movement.
For more information on FARFA and to register for the conference, click here.
Evaristo Vela has been a fixture of Downtown McKinney for over 25 years. Born with cerebral palsy, doctors said he probably wouldn’t live past the age of ten. That was 47 years ago! His kind and gentle spirit have made him a beloved member of our community, and we wanted to do our part to help him live his best life.
Cornerstone Ranch, a special needs adult community, set aside a place in their day program for Evi. Through a Go Fund Me page and donations made at Rick’s Chophouse 10-year anniversary party, we raised over $35,000 from our community to pay his tuition and transportation for several years. Evi’s first day was July 17th, and he is thriving!
Rick’s Chophouse celebrated their 10 year anniversary on April 26th. In honor of the occasion, we threw a party at which all proceeds were donated to any charity as selected by the donor. As a result, 23 charities were selected as beneficiaries of the event, including the following.
McKinney non-profit Community Garden Kitchen has teamed with Holy Family School of McKinney to design a multi-use facility which will be shared by the school and CGK as a place to prepare and serve meals. The building will also be used for community meetings, and instructional classes in food preparation, nutrition and health. Learn more about CGK’s mission and help us
help them build a kitchen here.
In partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Foundation underwrites a series of North Texas Farm-to-Table Symposiums every year. These events bring together farmers, ranchers, artisans, distillers, and chefs in order to keep North Texas a leader at the forefront of the Food Movement.
In 2017, we launched our Farm Crisis Fund. The Fund is dedicated to helping our local farmers and ranchers in times of economic crises or natural disasters. Please click here to apply for aid.
More than just a place to spend the night, The Samaritan Inn is a comprehensive program that teaches self-sufficiency and life skills to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They help willing people gain dignity and independence. On a typical night, approximately 160 people sleep at the Inn, of which 60 are children. Learn more about The Samaritan Inn here.
Cornerstone Ranch provides full time residential housing and a day program for adults with special needs, helping them to live a truly abundant life. Cornerstone is a place where residents experience the joy of serving and loving others through purposeful community integration, abundant living, and being a part of a family-centered environment. Learn more about Cornerstone Ranch here.
Farm Aid works with local, regional and national organizations to promote fair farm policies and grassroots organizing campaigns designed to defend and bolster family farm-centered agriculture. Learn more about Farm Aid here.
The McKinney Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization envisions a future in which all agricultural education students will discover their passion in life and build on that insight to chart the course for their education, career, and future. Learn more about McKinney FFA here.