About Us
Our Mission
World Hunger Relief aims to alleviate hunger through sustainable agriculture, education, and research.
Our Vision
We envision a robust, resilient, and regenerative food system that prioritizes local agricultural production, equitable access to healthy food, and ecological sustainability.
Our Commitment
Since 1976, World Hunger Relief has been committed to alleviating hunger around the world. Systemic and new challenges arise every day, threatening the long-term viability of our food systems and the health of our world’s ecosystems and communities. Our mission is to address those issues head-on to increase food security, diet quality, and equity. Together these promote nutrition security in our communities, providing consistent access to nutritious foods that promote optimal health and well-being throughout all life stages.
Practically, we provide opportunities for our community to learn about, engage in, and advocate for a just and equitable food system through our educational programs and enterprises. While we continue to lean into our foundational programs like our on-farm internships, we do not shy away from piloting innovative strategies like Food Is Medicine through our partnerships.
Digging Deeper
World Hunger Relief was chartered in 1976 by Bob and Jan Salley, real estate developers with a heart for God’s people and the land. In 1979, the Salleys hired Carl Ryther as WHR’s director, and the farm was truly born. Ryther had recently returned to Texas after 17 years of agricultural missionary work in Bangladesh, where he developed simple food production systems to address the food needs of the poor and maximize food production in situations of limited land resources. At WHR, Ryther was charged with developing a program to train individuals to address hunger needs around the world; the resulting training manual, Backyard Food Production Systems, was foundational and still impacts the work we do today.
Growing Together: Our Partnership with Truett Seminary
Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Program (TEFJ)
World Hunger Relief is proud to partner with Truett Seminary to cultivate a deeper connection between faith, agriculture, and community service. This collaboration provides Truett students with hands-on experiences in sustainable farming, food justice, and hunger alleviation, aligning with their theological studies and commitment to service. Through workshops and immersive learning opportunities on the farm, students engage with issues of stewardship, creation care, and food security while actively participating in our mission. Together, we are equipping future faith leaders with the knowledge and practical skills to address hunger and sustainability in their communities.
Meet Our Team
Beth Ferguson 
Interim Executive Director
Interim Executive Director
Beth Ferguson is currently serving as the Interim Executive Director at World Hunger Relief. Born and raised in the vibrant Dallas metroplex, Beth’s upbringing instilled in her a profound sense of community and compassion.
With a diverse background in nonprofit work, Beth brings invaluable experience to her role. Beth helps to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of World Hunger Relief’s administrative functions and marketing, she uses various platforms to amplify the organization’s message of equitable food access, the importance of caring for creation, and working with nature to produce nutrient-rich food, and living sustainability. Beth leverages social media as a tool for education, advocacy, and mobilization in World Hunger Relief’s digital community.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Beth finds joy and fulfillment in her role as a wife and mother. Married to her best friend for 15 years, she and her husband homeschool their four, beautiful children. Together they cultivate a close-knit bond while embarking on countless adventures together, cherishing every moment spent in each other’s company.
Beth FergusonInterim Executive Director
Grant Hall Market Garden Manager
Grant grew up in the Dallas metroplex and attended Baylor University. After graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in Film and Digital Media and a Master’s degree in Communication, he and his wife moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. While in LA, he fell in love with gardening and agriculture, eventually moving back to Texas to start a market garden in Northwest Houston.
As Market Garden Manager, Grant enjoys building healthy soil through regenerative practices and helping others become better gardeners and farmers.
When Grant isn’t farming he is spending time with his family, baking sourdough, or tending to his own backyard garden.
Grant HallMarket Garden Manager
Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
Molly Noah — President
Stacie Buterbaugh — Vice President
Evan Taddia — Treasurer
John Stanley — Secretary
Curtis Brown — Member-at-Large
Members-at-Large:
Marisela Cruz Arrendondo
Sarah Ragsdale
Charles Wiley
Kaylee Arensman
Corey McEntyre
Samuel Urlacher
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