HOW WE GROW
ABOUT BIG TEX URBAN FARMS
Introduced in 2016, the State Fair’s horticulture-based community initiative, Big Tex Urban Farms, is comprised of planting beds and hydroponic systems housed in the heart of Fair Park. The Farms also houses the Innovations in Agriculture exhibit during the Fair, funded in part with a grant from Bank of America. The mission of Big Tex Urban Farms is to create a food system that:
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- Invests financial and human capital into surrounding Fair Park neighborhoods and companies.
- Connects like-minded food-related organizations to each other.
- Provides free, fresh, and organic produce to entities focused on hunger issues and healthy lifestyle programs.
- Delivering engaging STEM experiences to local high school students through our innovative greenhouse cohort program.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is all about using water to grow plants instead of using soil. Breaking down the word “hydroponics,” it comes from two Greek words: “Hydro” meaning water and “Ponos:” meaning labor or work.
This style of growing really allows the growing of leafy greens like:
- Lettuce
- Collard Greens
- Herbs
Mycology
In an effort to grow the variety and impact of donation offerings provided to our partners, Big Tex Urban Farms adopted mycology, the study of fungi, into its operations in 2024 as they recognized the need to provide alternative sources of protein to the surrounding community. In its pilot year, the Farm’s innovative mycology program produced more than 800 pounds of culinary-grade mushrooms, ranging from native oyster, blue oyster, and lion’s mane. Not only does this provide a nutrient-rich alternative to traditional meat product to our partners, it further diversifies the nutritional content of our donations.
The mycology program allows the harvesting of different mushrooms like:
- Varieties of oysters such as blue oyster and a native Texas “wild” oyster
- Lion’s Mane
OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION
CITYLAB COHORT PROGRAM
Through a partnership with Dallas ISD CityLab High School, Big Tex Urban Farms developed a five-month cohort for high school students focused on all aspects of urban agriculture provided at the Farms. Six students from the school entered and completed the program with thirty percent of the students adjusting their planned major for higher education to fi elds associated with agriculture. With the Success of this pilot program, the cohort is now an annual offering for students at CityLab High School.
IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY
Big Tex Urban Farms has had a significant impact on our surrounding community’s health and nutrition and has made its unique model of sustainable urban farming known throughout the state, nation, and world since its inception in 2016. The Farms has become a true “innovation destination” for the global horticulture and agriculture industry, welcoming private entities, government officials, and delegates from developing countries to see the opportunities the Big Tex Urban Farms model presents to their unique situations.
RECURRING PRODUCE DONATIONS SURROUNDING FAIR PARK
A. 4DWN
B. After 8 to Educate
C. Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Institute at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center
D. City Square
E. Jubilee Park
F. The Oak Cliff Veggie Project
G. Parkland Health & Hospital System – Southeast Dallas Health Center
H. Restorative Farms
I. T.R. Hoover Community Development Corporation
A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK
Big Tex Urban Farms delivers and donates produce on a regular weekly basis. Among many of the great community partners, Jubilee Park, right outside of Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, has been a longtime partner and a frequent destination to deliver harvests. Follow along with Big Tex Urban Farms as we show you just how a delivery to one of our community partners is done.
PLANT SOME FLOWERS WITH US
Aside from growing crops year-round, Big Tex Urban Farms is hard at work growing some of the most beautiful plants within the state of Texas. Take a look at just some of the plants grown that are on display throughout the fairgrounds every year during the State Fair of Texas.
Meet the Urban Farms Crew
Drew Demler
Director of Horticulture
Robert Blackmon
Manager of Big Tex Urban Farms Ornamental
Cristian Camacho
Assistant of Horticulture Operations
Angel Giron
Greenhouse Operations Technician
Big Tex Urban Farms Production
192,968
Total Pounds
1,964,931
Total Servings
246,975
Total Heads
From 2016 - October 18, 2025
26,676
Total Pounds
207,948
Total Servings
24,270
Total Heads
As of October 18, 2025
31,387
Total Pounds
294,164
Total Servings
42,391
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
As of December 31, 2024
30,489
Total Pounds
327,374
Total Servings
45,238
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
As of December 31, 2023
18,531
Total Pounds
206,060
Total Servings
25,403
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
As of December 31, 2022
23,880
Total Pounds
241,300
Total Servings
25,337
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
December 31, 2021
26,183
Total Pounds
295,757
Servings Provided
30,198
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
December 31, 2020
20,901
Total Pounds
218,002
Total Servings
29,847
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
As of December 31, 2019
12,138
Total Pounds
153,060
Total Servings
22,096
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
402
Eggs
As of December 31, 2018
2,783
Total Pounds
21,266
Total Servings
2,195
Hydroponic Heads of Greens
326
Eggs
As of December 31, 2017