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APRIL 22ND, 2025 | BROWNSVILLE, TX
Moving from Vision to Action
The Food Summit is a collaborative event bringing together producers, buyers, policymakers, and community leaders to turn ideas into action and build a more competitive regional food system.
Attendees will connect, innovate, and drive solutions that strengthen the local food economy and support the well-being of our communities. The Summit will provide coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building resources to help stakeholders implement effective food system solutions across the Rio Grande Valley.
Buyer-Supplier Event at Food Summit 2024
Food Summit 2023
Don’t miss out on these sessions:
Unlocking Funding for Farms and Food Businesses:
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.
Navigating Market Opportunities for Farmers & Food Businesses:
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.
Harnessing Data for Impact in Food, Agriculture, and Policy:
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.
Coordinating People, Services, and Infrastructure for Success:
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.
Building the Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders in the RGV:
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.
Location
This year, the events will take place in Brownsville, Texas.
This lively border community is nestled within the four county region more widely known as the Rio Grande Valley (RGV).
Meet Our Speakers
Hernan Colmenero was born where the river meets the ocean on the Texas-Mexico border. His work invokes a call to sit within our environment and listen. As the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Ecology, Scholarship, and Health, he helps firms design creative solutions to conceive, launch, and monitor sustainable bionomic initiatives.
His clients include school districts, education service centers, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and private ranch owners looking to make a positive and lasting change in their environment and our future.
Dr. Alexis Racelis holds the Houston Endowed Chair for Science and Technology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he serves as an Associate Professor in the School for Earth, Environmental, and Marine Science, and Director of the Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems Program. He is also the Co- Director of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement. His academic program reflects a deep commitment to students and community of south Texas, centered on equitable access to intellectual capital through participatory action research, culturally relevant pedagogy, and community engaged scholarship. In addition to being a UT System ROTA recipient (2018), Alex is also an AAAS Leshner Fellow of Public Engagement, and a USDA Kika de la Garza Science Fellow. He currently serves as an appointed Member of USDA’s Federal Equity Commission, Subcommittee in Agriculture.
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Become a Sponsor Today!
Our sponsors play a vital role in making this event possible and allows us to bring together current and future stakeholders of our South Texas food system. Your support will ensure the longevity of our annual summit.
If you are interested in sponsoring the Food Summit, please reach out to bella@ecohealthinstitute.com
Celebrating, Learning, and Working Together
Questions?
For any inquiries about THE FOOD SUMMIT, reach out to our team directly using this form.
bella@ecohealthinstitute.com