By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

The Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Advisory Committee received national recognition for its Farmers Feeding Families program in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Harvest for All initiative.

Farmers Feeding Families was one of three programs named “Most Innovative” at the 2026 Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon.

Harvest for All highlights efforts by young farmers and ranchers across the country to fight hunger and support their communities.

Farmers Feeding Families is a statewide effort led by TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee in partnership with county Farm Bureaus and local members.

The program provides food, funding and volunteer support to organizations serving Texans in need.

“Farmers Feeding Families connects farmers, ranchers and county Farm Bureaus with local organizations to help address food insecurity in communities across Texas,” Roger Hall, TFB’s YF&R coordinator, said. “Our members are providing high-quality, locally-raised food and building relationships with the organizations serving the communities. It’s a true reflection of agriculture’s commitment to caring for our neighbors and strengthening the communities we call home.”

The program supported 163 organizations across the state through coordinated efforts.

In 2025, participants helped distribute 25,508.7 pounds of livestock protein to families in need. An additional 8,262 pounds of food items, valued at more than $17,500, were donated to food banks and community organizations.

YF&R members and county Farm Bureaus also raised more than $39,000and volunteered a combined 434 hours to support local efforts.

The recognition highlights the impact of grassroots involvement and the commitment of Texas farmers and ranchers to giving back to their communities.

“This award reflects the dedication of our YF&R Advisory Committee and county Farm Bureaus across the state, and it recognizes the heart of the Farm Bureau organization,” Hall said. “The Farmers Feeding Families initiative shows what’s possible when young agricultural leaders come together with a shared purpose. What we’re doing matters, and we will continue to carry this mission forward.”

AFBF’s Harvest for All program encourages young agricultural leaders to develop and implement initiatives that address food insecurity. The “Most Innovative” award recognizes programs that demonstrate creativity, effectiveness and measurable impact.

Donations for the 2026 Farmers Feeding Families program are now underway, building on the program’s continued efforts to fight hunger across Texas.

For more information about Farmers Feeding Families, visit texasfarmbureau.org/fff.