By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

After delivering tens of thousands of pounds of protein to Texans in need during its first year, Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Farmers Feeding Families program is back for a second year, giving county Farm Bureaus new opportunities to help fight hunger in their own communities.

Launched in 2025 by TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee, the initiative connects farmers and ranchers with local food banks, shelters and community aid organizations to help address food insecurity at the county level.

The program is open for county Farm Bureaus to make donations this year.

“Farmers Feeding Families encouraged county Farm Bureaus to connect farmers and ranchers with community organizations to help fight food insecurity,” Ryan Yeatts, chair of TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee, said.

County Farm Bureaus can donate cattle, hogs, sheep, goats or poultry to local organizations, and TFB will cover up to $1,000 of the processing costs.

“When county Farm Bureaus purchase an animal project from a student or local rancher and then have it processed locally and provided to a community aid organization, TFB will help cover a portion of the processing fee,” Yeatts said.

The program also allows counties to count volunteer hours spent helping with food collection, preparation or distribution, as well as other food or monetary donations made to local food distribution organizations. “This program helps county Farm Bureaus continue to make a real difference in their communities, highlighting and enhancing what they are already doing at the local level,” Yeatts said.

Food insecurity continues to affect communities across the state. In fact, one in six Texas households is food insecure, giving the Lone Star State the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation.

“Farmers and ranchers work hard every day to grow our food and fiber, but we’re taking it a step further at the local level with Farmers Feeding Families,” Yeatts said. “The program helps put nutritious food on tables of those who need it most right in our local towns and helps get more protein to local food distribution services, which ultimately builds stronger, healthier communities.”

In the first year of the program, 75 county Farm Bureaus donated more than 25,210 pounds of protein, over 7,860 other food items with a value $15,860, and $28,600.

For more information and to learn how to donate, contact your County Farm Bureau or visit texasfarmbureau.org/fff.