Big Tex Urban Farms

About Big Tex Urban Farms

In 2016, the State Fair of Texas introduced Big Tex Urban Farms, a revolutionary, mobile agriculture system in the heart of Fair Park.

As a testing ground for the project, the Fair used an 80-by-80-foot area normally used to house the Gateway Pavilion during the State Fair season. Employees from various departments worked with a Fair Park-area company to develop 100 raised planting beds created out of products normally used for packaging and shipping.

By the end of 2016, the project proved itself to be a successful experiment by investing financial and human capital into immediate Fair Park neighborhoods and companies. It connects like-minded agriculture entities and provides fresh produce to organizations focused on hunger and healthy lifestyle programs.

Mobile Agriculture

Considering the dynamics of Fair Park’s numerous events and National Historic Landmark designation, developing a mobile solution for the farm was imperative to the program’s success. Through a partnership with General Packaging Corporation, the urban farm’s 40-by-48-inch beds were designed and manufactured by a Fair Park-area company. Each bed, created with a shipping-pallet base, is easily constructed by one person, optimized for storage, and moved by forklift.

Throughout the growing season, all produce (more than 6,000 fruits and vegetables) was donated to Fair Park-area organizations including the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Institute in the Mill City neighborhood, Cornerstone Baptist Church, and Austin Street Shelter.

As of 2017, Big Tex Urban Farms has grown to 520 boxes, a 15×30-foot deep water culture bed capable of producing more than 20,000 greens a year, and various community locations throughout South Dallas.

Big Tex Urban Farms Production
  • Program Totals
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
139,922 Total Pounds
1,517,537 Total Servings
189,083 Total Heads
From 2016 - March 18, 2024
5,017 Total Pounds
54,718 Total Servings
8,769 Hydroponic Heads of Greens
As of March 18, 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