Central Texas Farmers Co-op

The Central Texas Farmers Cooperative (CTFC), founded in 2016, is a farmer-owned organization dedicated to supporting small regenerative producers and strengthening the regional food system. Open to growers of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, eggs, meats, and select value-added goods, the co-op brings together farmers committed to sustainable land stewardship, ecological diversity, and safe, nutritious food. Its multi-farm CSA program, which distributes thousands of shares per season, provides a vital market channel that helps small farms thrive while connecting consumers directly with fresh, local products. CTFC’s standards emphasize healthy soils, responsible resource use, humane livestock care, and minimal processing to preserve nutritional value. By fostering collaboration among producers and promoting ethical, community-rooted business practices, the cooperative helps build a resilient and equitable agricultural economy for Central Texas.

Ecological, Social, and Economic Stewardship Practices

Ecological Stewardship

• CTFC upholds its members to strict standards related to environmental stewardship as outlined in the member handbook and marketing agreement:
• Members are required to build, maintain, and contribute to healthy soils by using crop rotation, cover cropping, composting, and reduced tillage. 
• Synthetic inputs are prohibited along with GMO or chemically treated seeds, irradiation and sewage sludge.
• Livestock are humanely raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics and provided with ample pasture for grazing. Pasture diversity is actively encouraged by incorporating a wide range of plant species. Ruminants are 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised, while poultry and goats receive non-GMO, locally milled grains. Pork is also pasture-raised.
• Members must foster beneficial wildlife habitat and support ecological biodiversity. All farms are highly diversified and incorporate perennial plantings that play a key role in an integrated pest management strategy.
• Water conservation is a top priority for all members. Members utilize drip irrigation systems and most implement permaculture techniques like  berms and swales. Additionally, most members use compost and  mulch to promote water retention and mitigate erosion and runoff.

Social Stewardship

• Preserves farmland for future generations through conservation efforts.
• Keeps small and beginning farmers in business by providing access to sales, marketing, and distribution channels through the Co-op. 
• CTFC offers networking opportunities through regular meetings and social engagements, further strengthening the local food system through this alliance. 

Economic Stewardship

• Supports agricultural markets and infrastructure that enable small farms to thrive.
• Promotes a healthy regional food system by working in cooperation with over a dozen small-scale vegetable farmers and over a half a dozen protein producers and selling directly to consumers.
• Reduces food miles by selling farm products locally and regionally. 
• Governed by a Board of Directors. CTFC was created to conduct business for the benefits of its members.