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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

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 Hall

Market Garden Manager

Read Bio

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.

Beth Ferguson  Operations Manager

Beth Ferguson is currently serving as the Operations Manager at World Hunger Relief while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from WGU. 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 Ferguson

Operations Manager

Read Bio

Beth Ferguson is currently serving as the Operations Manager at World Hunger Relief while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from WGU. 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.

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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Waco Farmer

worldhungerrelief

WHR seeks to alleviate hunger through education, research, and sustainable agriculture. Spring Lake Farm & Blackland Prairie Center for Sustainability

🎉 There’s still time to be a Farm Camp hero! 🎉 There’s still time to be a Farm Camp hero! We’ve got some supplies left on our wish list and need your help to cross the finish line. 🏁
💥 Bonus: Bring a donation to the Farmers Market and snag a FREE Farm Camp t-shirt — because heroes deserve capes (or at least cool shirts). 😎
Let’s make this summer awesome together! 🌻🛒ink in our bio!
May the 4th Be With You! Straight from the compost May the 4th Be With You!
Straight from the compost pile of destiny…
“Cuke… I am your farmer.”
Even veggies feel the power of the dark side.
#MayThe4th #StarWarsDay #CucumberVader #VeggieForce #FarmWars
🌞 We need YOU for Summer Farm Camp! We’re loo 🌞 We need YOU for Summer Farm Camp!
We’re looking for volunteers to help make this summer unforgettable for our campers—think helping with crafts, farm chores, games, and more! Whether you can give a day or a week, your time makes a big impact.
📅 Camp runs May 26- June 20
🐐 Come get your hands dirty and hearts full.
💛 Link in bio to sing up!
49 years ago, a small dream took root — and it’s grown into a legacy of compassion, learning, and community. As we look back on the memories, we’re filled with gratitude for every person who has walked this journey with us. Here’s to the story we’re still writing together. 🌻 #WHR49 #worldhungerrelief #wacotexas #sustainability
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Visit us and purchase our produce at the Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market and the Bridge Street Market.

Mailing Address

PO Box 639
Elm Mott, TX 76640


(254) 799-5611

info@worldhungerrelief.org

Location

356 Spring Lake Road
Waco, TX 76705


Monday - Friday

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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