The Field Guide Symposium features a who’s who of Central Texas chefs, farmers, agricultural experts, food industry leaders and sustainability experts. Moderated by our very own Trisha Bates, the Symposium takes a deep dive into the future of local food systems with the following panelists:
Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye Hospitality: Kevin Fink is a distinguished chef and restaurateur with a deep-rooted passion for the culinary arts and hospitality. His journey into the food industry began at an early age, following his father, a restaurant professional, and gaining invaluable insights into the inner workings of culinary operations. Kevin’s diverse culinary experience spans across several prestigious establishments. He honed his skills at 13 Gobbi in Florence, Italy, and gained front-of-house expertise at The French Laundry, the world-renowned restaurant by Thomas Keller. Additionally, he further developed his craft at Noma, Copenhagen’s legendary restaurant led by René Redzepi. In 2015, Kevin opened Emmer & Rye on Rainey Street in Austin, where his dedication to sustainable dining practices earned the restaurant a Michelin Green Star for Sustainability in 2024. Beyond Emmer & Rye, Kevin owns and operates a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants, including Hestia, Canje, Ezov, and Kalimotxo in Austin, along with Ladino and Pullman Market in San Antonio, Texas.
Stacy and Robert Nantz of Nantz Land and Cattle: Robert Nantz and his wife Stacy live in Graham, TX and have transitioned from conventional ranching to regenerative ranching. They have experienced a major paradigm shift and focus now on improving soil health as the foundation of their current operation. They have seen first hand the positive effect it has on the grasses, cow health, and ultimately the nutrient density of the consumer beef product. They are excited to share their experiences in hopes that more operations will transition away from conventional ag to regenerative.
Drew Steans of Pristine Produce: Drew Steans is a Central-South Texas native who lives in San Antonio. By day he is a Solution Delivery Analyst, and in the evenings and weekends, he manages his urban hydroponic farm and several family-owned ranches. He has had a passion for farming for as long as he can remember with an agriculture degree in Agricultural Systems Management from Texas A&M University. After graduating in 2006, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he lobbied for the 2008 Farm Bill. Now, his focus is to expand the production of his businesses’ diverse offerings to families in the San Antonio area and beyond. In the coming years, it is his goal to position their farms as a leading producer of high-quality, locally sourced foods and products. They will focus on meat, produce, eggs and other specialty crops that will support and enhance the availability of locally sourced food for our diverse cultures in San Antonio.
Aubrey Noelke of Local Pastures: When Perrine and I first moved out here to build our farm, we first built a kitchen. Not a house or a barn. A kitchen… It wasn’t an accident. It didn’t just happen that way. Producing good food lies at the heart of what we do out here. Perrine draws heavily on her French heritage to craft the foods of Belle Vie. Her palate and mastery of traditional French recipes create balanced and beautiful food harvested from the pastures her kitchen is surrounded by. I have been lucky enough to sell her food at Austin markets for five years and am overwhelmed by the heartfelt support I receive from her devoted fans every single time I set up our booth or cater an event. We love providing pasture raised products to Central Texas and continue to grow!
Sam Moffett of Local Pastures: With a background in digital advertising, my wife and I left Austin in 2017 and purchased our farm near Brenham, TX. Over the last 8 years we’ve we became students and practitioners of Regenerative Agriculture and with a particular emphasis on using managed intensive grazing to grass finish cattle and rotate them with our flocks of about 7000 laying hens….improving our soils in the process which had been over farmed and over grazed for 150 years. Shirttail Creek Farm now ships meats all over the USA, sells weekly at three Austin farmers markets, and offers our products through The Local Pastures stores that we co-own in Austin along with our friends at Belle Vie Farm!
Larry Franklin of Black Lives Veggies: Larry Franklin is the founder of Black Lives Veggies, a local nonprofit that addresses food insecurity by providing disenfranchised communities with gardening education & resources. He’s also a Food Justice Fellow with The Austin Common & has been working to tell more community-focused stories about the intersection of gentrification, climate, & food.
Lisa Barden of Keep Austin Fed: Lisa Barden is the Executive Director of Keep Austin Fed, leading efforts to rescue surplus food and reduce hunger in Austin. With a background in project management, entrepreneurial leadership, and a commitment to food justice, Lisa has helped Keep Austin Fed grow significantly, increasing healthy food access for thousands in need. Passionate about sustainability and community health, she works with local partners and volunteers to fight food insecurity while minimizing waste, making a positive impact on both people and the environment. Lisa also currently serves as the Chair of One Voice Central Texas – a coalition of nonprofits in the health and human services sector – and Vice Chair of the Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board.
Edwin Marty from the City of Austin: Edwin Marty is the Food Policy Manager for the City of Austin’s Office of Climate Action and Resilience. He is the staff liaison for the Austin Travis Food Policy Council and provides support for the implementation of the Austin Travis County Food Plan. His work focuses on support for community food production, institutional food purchasing, and improving access to healthy affordable food. Edwin earned a BA in Anthropology from the University of Oregon and completed an “Apprenticeship in Agroecology” from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He was the founder and director of the non-profit Jones Valley Teaching Farm located in in Birmingham, Alabama and co-authored a book about urban farming called Breaking Through Concrete.
Melody McClary of Fourteen Acres Farm at Tito’s Handmade Vodka: Melody McClary is a seasoned agricultural operations expert with nearly two decades of experience in farm management, food production, and business development. As the director of Fourteen Acres Farm at Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Melody oversees the production of fresh, high-quality food grown specifically for the company’s employees. The farm is an integral part of Tito’s commitment to sustainability and employee well-being, providing seasonal produce while showcasing responsible land stewardship. Beyond the farm, Melody is dedicated to strengthening the local food system by supporting farmers through advocacy, mentorship, and resource development. As President of the Central Texas Young Farmers Coalition and an advisory board member for Austin Community College’s farm incubator program, she works to expand opportunities for beginning farmers. Through collaboration with working groups focused on land access, education, and farm viability, Melody is committed to ensuring that small-scale and sustainable farmers have the tools they need to thrive.
Check out the full schedule below. If you purchase a VIP Field Guide ticket, Symposium is part of your package. Or, you can purchase a single ticket to the Saturday event here.
But that’s not all! It wouldn’t be Field Guide without a little F&B. So, our friends at Tito’s will be serving cocktails during the festivities and Local Foods will provide tasty light bites.
