Agricultural cooperatives have long been a cornerstone of rural communities around the world, allowing farmers to pool resources, share knowledge, and navigate market uncertainties together. Their roots go deep into the annals of history, symbolizing the power of collective effort and mutual support. Today, the Central Texas Farmers Co-op proudly continues this tradition, reinventing it to meet the needs of the modern age while remaining firmly rooted in its cooperative spirit.
The Central Texas Farmers Co-op is a testament to the enduring relevance of the cooperative model. Founded in 2016, it is a farmer-owned and operated cooperative that provides high-quality, locally grown food through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. This initiative is founded on the principle of strength in unity, a philosophy that underpins all agricultural cooperatives.
The co-op came into being when a group of young farmers and farming advocates began convening monthly to explore the advantages of collaboration over competition. Out of these discussions, a plan emerged that sought to serve both the consumers who desired fresh, local produce, and the farmers who sought the stability to grow their businesses.
By pooling our resources and products, we can offer a wider variety of fresh produce and meat throughout the season, enhancing convenience and selection for our subscribers. Your commitment to the CSA gives us, the small and novice farmers, the security and confidence to nurture our farms further.
This cooperative isn’t a faceless wholesaler profiting from farmers’ toil. The Central Texas Farmers Co-op is made up of small and beginning farmers from Hays, Caldwell, Blanco, Bastrop, and Travis counties. When you support our co-op, you’re directly supporting your local farmers. For more information about our farmer members, click HERE.
Your support of our co-op truly makes a difference for our local farmers, as Becky Hume, owner of VRDNT Farm, shares: “The co-op was pivotal in helping me start the farm. Getting good prices and knowing I had an outlet for my crops was a huge factor in making me feel comfortable scaling up”.
While our model is simple, its implications are profound. We believe that relocalizing agriculture is key to improving our health, bolstering community resilience, and enhancing the environmental and economic well-being of our community. By choosing to support local and regenerative agriculture, you’re not just buying the freshest, highest quality food — you’re contributing to a legacy of mutual support and sustainable agriculture that has stood the test of time. As we carry this proud tradition into the future, we invite you to join us in this exciting journey from our fields to your fork.