PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Apr. 10, 2026) – “Agriculture touches everything!”
It is a phrase often said, but at Prairie View A&M University, it is being brought to life in a visible, tangible way. As the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) prepares to launch its revitalized Farmers Market, a week of events will serve as more than a gathering; it will be a gateway to a broader conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, and community connection. Kicking off CAFNR Week, the market highlights how agriculture intersects with everyday life, from food and wellness to business, technology and beyond.
On 91.3 KPVU, “The Sound of Excellence,” host Mark Angel sat down with Community Services Manager Poppy Johnson and Community Services Coordinator Robert “Trey” Lewis to discuss the return of the Farmers Market, presented by CAFNR.
CAFNR Farmers Market Flyer
Mark Angel: We have some wonderful guests in the building. I’m sitting here with Poppy Johnson, Community Services Manager, and Robert Trey Lewis, Community Services Coordinator. Thank you both for coming in.
This is an event that has been going on for many years, but this one is going to be different. Tell us about the Farmers Market.
Robert “Trey” Lewis: A Farmers Market is an initiative we have here at the college. We wanted to make it something for our community and for our students, interacting with vendors and seeing how agriculture and business align to serve people.
We really started from scratch, asking how we could grow it and revitalize it into something that brings the entire community, the entire college and the entire campus together. I was brought in to help streamline that effort, and it has been a lot of fun planning it. We’re excited about what we’ve built.
MA: So this is not the first Farmers Market. It has happened before, but this one is going to be different. What’s going to be different about it?
RL: For one, we have more vendors. We started with a smaller list, but now we have a total of 13 vendors, and we plan to keep growing.
CAFNR Week Schedule of Events
We’re hosting it at Panther Plaza, and the variety of vendors is a big difference this year. For example, some of our extension units will be there, including our Wellness in Houston program, which is partnering with an upcoming food tech company called Nia’s Fresh Market. They’ll be doing live cooking demonstrations, showing how to use fresh ingredients to make healthy, flavorful meals for families.
We’ll also have technology companies like Anchored Minds, which develops mental health tools for people dealing with anxiety. Our Meat Science Center will be there selling products, offering samples and introducing new items.
We also have students with their own businesses. One of our CAFNR students, MJ’s Table, works with her family farm and will be bringing products they grow. Other students will be there as well.
There’s a wide variety of things happening. It’s going to be a really great experience.
MA: It sounds like there’s something for everybody. Why is it important for students and the community to come out?
RL: For students, it’s important to see opportunities for entrepreneurship. We have a lot of students with their own businesses and ideas, but they’re looking for ways to grow and bring awareness to what they’re doing.
Seeing other students and departments bring their work forward can inspire them to take that next step, start a business and build connections. They also get to see the support that exists—not just from faculty and staff, but from the community as well.
Robert Trey Lewis
For the community, one of our biggest goals in revitalizing the Farmers Market was to continue building that relationship with the college. We don’t want there to be a disconnect.
This event creates a bridge. It invites the Prairie View community to come to campus, be involved in what we’re doing and experience something beyond major events like homecoming. It’s an opportunity to build relationships, make connections and create lasting memories.
MA: The event will be at Panther Plaza?
RL: Yes, at Panther Plaza on Monday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MA: Poppy, are you going to be there?
Poppy Johnson: You already know I’m going to be there.
I also want to add that the Farmers Market is the kickoff event for CAFNR Week. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will be hosting events every day from April 13 through April 16, and it leads into Ag Day on the Hill, which takes place Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18.
It’s a major week for the college, and it’s a great opportunity for students to see how agriculture touches everything. We say that often, but now we’re showing it in a visible way.
MA: How does agriculture touch everything?
Poppy Johnson
PJ: When you think about it, agriculture is the foundation of our lives. It connects to the food we eat, the clothes we wear, businesses, operations—everything in some way is tied to agriculture.
During this week, we’re highlighting that through different events. We have study abroad opportunities, the CAFNR Student Impact Awards and speakers coming in who have worked in extension and are now involved in industries like cosmetics. They’re showing how agriculture connects to different career paths.
We’re also hosting events like plant-based experiences that help bring visibility to these opportunities. That visibility is important because it helps students understand not just where they are, but where they can go.
All of these opportunities are housed within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
MA: It’s not just food—this touches everything, including things like cosmetics and other industries?
RL: Yes, absolutely.
PJ: It all stems from the Farmers Market as the kickoff event.
I’m really proud of the work Trey has done. He took the vision and made it engaging and fun. With support from extension, research and academics, this has become a full opportunity to showcase the College of Agriculture.
MA: We’re looking forward to it. 91.3 KPVU will be out there bringing the energy.
The Farmers Market is happening Monday, April 13, at Panther Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If people want more information, where should they go?
RL: You can follow us on Instagram at @PVAMUCAFNR, where we share updates and event information. You can also reach out to me directly at relewis@pvamu.edu with any questions.
MA: We appreciate you both for coming in and sharing this information. We look forward to being there.
RL: We appreciate it. It’s going to be a great time.
PJ: Thank you.
Listen to the full interview on KPVU 91.3 here.
By Liz Faublas-Wallace
-PVAMU-