Grow North Texas (GNT) has partnered with
Taste the Local Difference to offer a business development learning opportunity for farmers and local food producers in the GNT service area. Local Food Marketing Academy is an 8-week cohort-based training. This cohort aims to educate and empower farmers and food producers in the greater GNT service area to build marketing skills and grow their businesses with a brand story, marketing plan, templates, and more. Participants will receive coaching and support with your business planning through the cohort and build community with other farmers in the region.
Interested farmers should complete this application by July 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM Central. Applicants can attend a virtual information session hosted by our partner
Texas Center for Local Food to ask questions about the application, the cohort, and the selection process. Applicants will be notified if they are selected by August 7, 2026.
Participation in the cohort is free ($800 value)!
Applicants must:
- Operate a farm or local food business sourcing primarily local ingredients within the GNT service area (Collin, Denton, Dallas, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, or Wise counties).
- Demonstrate at least $1,000 in annual sales, or the equivalent value through value-added, donated, or bartered food.
- Commit to attend at least 6 of the 8 cohort sessions on Tuesday evenings between August 18th and October 6th (August 18, 25, September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and October 6).
- Complete and submit the SurveyMonkey application.
