This week on Ensemble Texas, we visit Mission San Juan, where the San Antonio Food Bank is farming the future on Texas’ oldest farmland. In this episode, we dive into how the Food Bank has transformed 50 acres of historic farmland into a hub for sustainability and innovation. Led by Mitch Hagney, the Food Bank’s Director of Food Sustainability, this effort combines ancient agricultural techniques with modern solutions to combat food insecurity and climate challenges.

We explore how resilient crops like nopal cactus, figs, and amaranth are being cultivated to address hunger today and build a more sustainable future for San Antonio. Mitch also sheds light on the historical significance of Mission San Juan, the acequias that irrigate the fields, and the powerful lessons this land holds for future generations.

If you’re curious about sustainable agriculture, the power of community partnerships, and what it means to cultivate resilience in a rapidly growing city, this episode is for you.

Learn more about the San Antonio Food Bank’s initiatives at safoodbank.org.

Full Transcript and Show Notes Available Visit podcast.ensembletexas.com for more resources and information.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Welcome to Ensemble Texas
01:15 - San Antonio Food Bank's mission to combat food insecurity
03:45 - Farming Texas’ oldest land at Mission San Juan
07:30 - Resilient crops: nopal, figs, and amaranth
10:20 - Lessons from the acequias: Historic irrigation for modern challenges
13:10 - Building a sustainable food system for San Antonio
16:25 - Volunteer opportunities at the Food Bank farm
18:45 - The intersection of history, sustainability, and community
21:05 - What it means to “eat your region”
23:30 - Final thoughts and how to get involved

⚫ Learn more about Cory Ames and Ensemble Texas at EnsembleTexas.com

⚫ Follow Cory on Instagram @ensembletexas and YouTube @CoryAmesYT

⚫ Subscribe to the Ensemble Texas Newsletter for stories, guides, and recommendations about San Antonio and Texas

⚫ Listen to more episodes of the Ensemble Texas Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

ABOUT CORY AMES:

Cory Ames is the founder and CEO of Ensemble Texas, a media organization promoting environmental, economic, and cultural resiliency across San Antonio and Texas. He’s passionate about connecting people to the natural beauty and rich history of the region, whether through video, podcasts, or long-form storytelling. With years of experience as a Texas Native Plant educator and content creator, Cory uses his platform to inspire sustainable living and amplify the voices of local businesses and environmental advocates.

Cory lives in San Antonio with his wife and two kids. He enjoys working in the garden, getting outside to explore the city’s natural spots, and playing hoops when he can. When he’s not producing content for Ensemble Texas, he’s likely planning his next adventure in Texas’ great outdoors.

PS: Interested in booking Cory for public speaking or sponsoring Ensemble Texas? Reach out via L...

This week on Ensemble Texas, we’re joined by Eric Cooper, the visionary leader and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. With over 23 years of experience transforming the landscape of food security, Eric has been instrumental in fostering holistic community support across San Antonio and beyond.

In this episode, Eric Cooper shares his inspiring journey and the San Antonio Food Bank’s mission to serve 100,000 households each week.

We discuss the collaborative efforts between donors, volunteers, and strategic partners in addressing not only food security but broader systemic issues like housing, education, and employment. Eric sheds light on the organization's partnerships, including Alamo Colleges, showcasing how collective action can bolster community resilience and support upward mobility.

Learn more about the San Antonio Food Bank's initiatives at safoodbank.org.

Full Transcript and Show Notes Available Visit podcast.ensembletexas.com for more resources and information.

***

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Partnering with local pantries to address food insecurity.

05:57 High rent leaves families choosing bills or food.

07:33 Feed immediate needs; enable self-sufficiency simultaneously.

10:19 Improved policies increased SNAP usage, benefiting families.

15:04 Food banking trend reduces US food waste.

18:29 Equitable health access overcomes ZIP code barriers.

19:53 Serving others selflessly makes you a superhero.

23:26 San Antonio offers humanitarian aid amidst immigration challenges.

27:21 Essential employment elements requiring government or charity.

31:55 Secure San Antonio through food, housing, education, employment.

34:24 San Antonio Food Bank: hunger, equity, compassion, opportunity.

***

⚫ Learn more about Cory Ames and Ensemble Texas at EnsembleTexas.com

⚫ Follow Cory on Instagram @ensembletexas and YouTube @CoryAmesYT

⚫ Subscribe to the Ensemble Texas Newsletter for stories, guides, and recommendations about San Antonio and Texas

⚫ Listen to more episodes of the Ensemble Texas Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

ABOUT CORY AMES:

Cory Ames is the founder and CEO of Ensemble Texas, a media organization promoting environmental, economic, and cultural resiliency across San Antonio and Texas. He’s passionate about connecting people to the natural beauty and rich history of the region, whether through video, podcasts, or long-form storytelling. With years of experience as a Texas Native Plant educator and content creator, Cory uses his platform to inspire sustainable living and amplify the voices of local businesses and environmental advocates.

Cory lives in San Antonio with his wife and two kids. He enjoys working in the garden, getting outside to explore the city’s natural spots, and playing hoops when he can. When he’s not producing content for Ensemble Texas, he’s likely planning his next adventure in Texas’ great outdoors.

PS: Interested in booking Cory for public speaking or sponsoring Ensemble Texas? Reach out via L...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of deconstruction and circular economy in San Antonio with our incredible guest, Stephanie Phillips. 🌿

San Antonio is leading the charge as the largest city in North America with a deconstruction ordinance, and it's revolutionizing how we think about waste and building materials. Instead of demolishing buildings and sending tons of valuable materials to landfills, deconstruction allows us to reclaim high-quality resources like old-growth wood, bricks, and more—turning waste into opportunities for reuse.

Stephanie shares her passion for embodied carbon, historic preservation, and how we can build communities around reuse rather than landfills. We also explore the challenges of scaling deconstruction, the environmental impact of traditional demolition, and the transformative power of rethinking waste in our city.

Together, we’ll learn how deconstruction creates more jobs, boosts the local economy, and contributes to a more sustainable future. If you're curious about how San Antonio is turning old into new, this episode is for you. Let’s explore how we can build a circular city, one deconstruction at a time.

RESOURCES:

⚫ Follow our guest, Stephanie Phillips, on LinkedIn here or check out her organization, Circular San Antonio

⚫ Learn more about Cory Ames and Ensemble Texas at EnsembleTexas.com

⚫ Follow Cory on Instagram @ensembletexas and YouTube @CoryAmesYT

⚫ Subscribe to the Ensemble Texas Newsletter for stories, guides, and recommendations about San Antonio and Texas

⚫ Listen to more episodes of the Ensemble Texas Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

ABOUT CORY AMES:

Cory Ames is the founder and CEO of Ensemble Texas, a media organization promoting environmental, economic, and cultural resiliency across San Antonio and Texas. He’s passionate about connecting people to the natural beauty and rich history of the region, whether through video, podcasts, or long-form storytelling. With years of experience as a Texas Native Plant educator and content creator, Cory uses his platform to inspire sustainable living and amplify the voices of local businesses and environmental advocates.

Cory lives in San Antonio with his wife and two kids. He enjoys working in the garden, getting outside to explore the city’s natural spots, and playing hoops when he can. When he’s not producing content for Ensemble Texas, he’s likely planning his next adventure in Texas’ great outdoors.

PS: Interested in booking Cory for public speaking or sponsoring Ensemble Texas? Reach out via L...