Plant It Forward

Fact Sheet

Plant It Forward is Houston’s largest network of urban farmers…and we’re growing!

BACKGROUND: Plant It Forward (PIF)’s mission is to train and support former refugees to operate urban farm businesses throughout Houston. Plant It Forward builds a greener Houston by: growing fresh, local, pesticide-free vegetables and fruit; giving our farmers an opportunity to build a self-sustaining, free market enterprise in America for themselves and their families; and building our community by integrating our farms into neighborhoods. Our vision is a farm in every neighborhood, operated by people achieving the American Dream. PIF was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2011.

FARM SITES:

  • Braeswood Church: 10595 Fondren
  • Westbury Community Garden: 12581 Dunlap
  • University of St. Thomas: 1318 Sul Ross
  • Blossom Heights: 8702 Lipan

HOW TO BUY OUR FARMERS’ PRODUCE:

PIF BY THE NUMBERS:

  • Thirteen (13) farmers and three (3) alumni farmers;
  • Eight (8) urban farms in production on four (4) acres of land;
  • Our farmers feed over 225 customer families weekly through the farm share program;
  • Over $200,000 in total program-related produce sales in fiscal year 2017;
  • Our farmers each earn an average of 20% higher than the living wage in Harris County;
  • Our farmers and trainees are new Houstonians originally from six (6) countries: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and Sudan.

FARMERS: Toto Alimasi, Christine Kengue, Sarment Louamba, Constant Ngouala, Roy Nlemba, Bobilya Apendeki, Bora Neema, Henriette Ngangoula, Elizabeth Nyuma, Mabel Nyuma, Oretha Nyuma, Materanya (‘Pierre’) Ruchinagiza, Fatuma Rukundo

MAJOR FUNDERS: Green Mountain Energy’s Sun Club Foundation, the O’Donnell Family, Sisters of Charity, Norwex Foundation, Whole Foods Foundation, The Good People Fund

LAND USE DONORS: Westbury Community Garden via City of Houston, Braeswood Assembly of God, University of St. Thomas, Blossom Heights Child Development Center

FARM SHARE BUSINESS & ORGANIZATION HOSTS: A 2nd Cup, Dr. Allison Blazek, Avenu Fit, Axelrad, Blossom Heights Early Childhood Development Center, Brith Shalom, Central City Co-op, Dandelion Café, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston Arboretum (coming soon!), Nature Discovery Center, Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, Sustainable Food Center (Farm-to-Work Program)

TOP RESTAURANT & WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS: Farm to Table Texas, Weights + Measures, Indigo, Kraftsmen Baking, Down House, OKRA Charity Bar, Sustain Juicery, Juicewell, Marriott Marquis Houston, Decatur Bar & Popup Factory, Oddball Eats, Earthcraft Juicery, Indianola, Axelrad, Squable, Nancy’s Hustle

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ADVISORS: A volunteer Board governs our organization and provides strategic development guidance; meet them here: plant-it-forward.org/board. Additionally, an Advisory Committee provides key input to staff: plant-it-forward.org/advisory-committee.

FINANCIALS: Plant It Forward is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization and has achieved the Guidestar 2018 Silver Seal of Transparency. PIF’s fiscal year 2018 (October 2018 – September 2019) expense budget is $745,000. Our tax ID is 27-3967754 and secure donations can be made online at plant-it-forward.org/join-us/donate.