Our "In-The-City Farm & Garden" initiative is a transformative urban agriculture project designed to combat food insecurity, foster economic empowerment, and promote sustainable food production in underserved communities in Temple, Texas. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000 in year one to set a strong foundation for operations. This particular campaign will focus on raising $12,500, a quarter of the needed amount, to kickstart critical initiatives.

The Story Behind Our Locations: Our urban farm project is deeply rooted in the history and transformation of two key properties that will serve as the foundation for our initiative:

416 N Katy Street, Temple, Texas:
- This land is family-owned by our founder, Deonta Davis. For years, it sat vacant, becoming an unintended space for a homeless encampment, which unfortunately led to drug-related activities that frequently required intervention by the Temple Police Department.
- Instead of allowing the land to remain a burden on the community, we are transforming it into a space of growth and nourishment, where residents can engage in productive, healthy, and sustainable farming.
- This initiative will create a positive, thriving environment for all citizens to enjoy while making an impactful difference in addressing food insecurity.
305 S 22nd Street, Temple, Texas:
- This land was generously donated in-kind by Linda Weaver, who has given us a five-year commitment to use the space for urban farming.
- This provides us with a unique opportunity to experiment with and refine our farming techniques, build expertise, and develop a strong curriculum that will serve as the backbone for future agricultural expansion.
- Located close to the underserved communities we aim to impact, this location is a critical asset in making healthy food more accessible to those in need.

Challenges and Our Commitment:

At 305 S 22nd Street, we must clear out trees to prepare the land for farming.
At 416 N Katy Street, we will likely need a capital investment to expand water access, ensuring the land is fully functional for agriculture.
Despite these challenges, our team is driven and excited to bring this project to life and welcome community contributions and support to make it happen.

Campaign Objectives:

Increase Local Food Production
- Establish 2 community gardens in Temple, engaging at least 25 households in the first year.
- Transform 2 vacant lots/buildings into productive urban farms utilizing hydroponics and aquaponics by year 3.
- Produce and distribute 15,000-25,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to residents, businesses, and food banks by year 5.
Enhance Food Literacy and Healthy Eating Habits
- Provide food literacy training to 50 residents in the first year.
- Conduct urban gardening workshops for 100 participants by year 2.
- Increase local food system participation by 25% by year 3.
Foster Community Engagement and Ownership
- Partner with at least 5 local organizations in the first year.
- Recruit and train a 50-member volunteer force by year 2.
- Achieve a 90% satisfaction rate among participants and partners by year 3.

Why Your Support Matters:

Addressing Food Insecurity: Over 15.5% of Texas households experience food insecurity, with Temple’s underserved communities being among the most affected.
Creating Sustainable Solutions: By implementing urban farming techniques such as hydroponics and vertical farming, we ensure a long-term solution to food scarcity.
Economic Empowerment: The project offers mentorship, business training, and job creation, equipping local residents with agricultural skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Environmental Benefits: Reducing food miles by cultivating produce locally, mitigating carbon footprints, and utilizing sustainable farming practices.

How You Can Help:

Make a Donation: Every dollar contributes to farm development, equipment, seeds, and training programs.
- $50 - Provides a gardening starter kit for a local family.
- $250 - Supports the installation of irrigation systems.
- $1,000 - Funds educational workshops for 50 participants.
- $3,125 - Helps develop a full-scale urban farm in a vacant lot (one-quarter of our total goal).
Corporate Sponsorships:
- Silver Partner ($1,250) – Recognition on our website and social media.
- Gold Partner ($2,500) – Sponsorship branding at community events and farm signage.
- Platinum Partner ($5,000+) – Exclusive branding rights, VIP farm tours, and media coverage.
Volunteer & Community Engagement:
- Join us for community farm days.
- Help with food distribution and educational workshops.
- Advocate for urban agriculture policies in Temple.
Attend Our Fundraising Events:
- Urban Farm Kickoff Gala – A special dinner featuring locally grown produce and community impact stories.
- Harvest Festival – Family-friendly event celebrating urban farming with live demonstrations and local vendors.
- Virtual Giving Campaign – Online engagement to fund critical farm infrastructure and resources.

Our Funding Needs: Total Year 1 Goal: $50,000
Current Campaign Goal: $12,500

$5,000 - Land development and farm setup.
$3,500 - Equipment (tools, irrigation, vertical farming structures).
$2,500 - Educational programming and training materials.
$1,500 - Marketing, outreach, and community engagement.

In-The-City Farm & Garden

By Make A Way Wellness

In-The-City Farm & Garden

Growing a Healthier, Stronger Community!