Sweetwater Farms HTX, a family-owned urban farm in Houston, Texas, is cultivating more than just crops—it’s fostering a deeper connection between agriculture, education, and community. The farm serves as a vital resource for fresh produce while offering educational opportunities to local students and families.

Founded by Chaz Daughtry, Sweetwater Farms began as a modest backyard garden during his law school years. Recognizing the potential for greater impact, Daughtry moved the farm to a six-acre plot of land his family owned in a neighborhood with limited access to fresh food. Today, Sweetwater Farms not only grows a variety of fruits and vegetables but also serves as a hub for agricultural learning and inspiration.

Sweetwater’s crops are carefully selected to meet the needs and tastes of the community, ranging from collard greens and kale to okra and melons. “We grow vegetables that members from our community love to eat,” said Daughtry. The farm also attracts local chefs who visit Sweetwater to discover new and uncommon varieties of produce for their culinary creations. By bridging the needs of local residents with the creativity of the food industry, the farm has become a source of inspiration for chefs and home cooks alike.

Beyond supplying fresh food, Sweetwater Farms is committed to educating the next generation. Partnering with the Texas Women Empowerment Foundation (TWEF), the farm hosts monthly STEM and agriculture classes, teaching students about the importance of fresh produce, sustainable farming practices, and healthy living. This educational outreach extends beyond the classroom. Sweetwater employs local teens, giving them hands-on experience in food production, business management, and customer relations. “These young interns also manage our community farm stand and meet and sell to local chefs,” Daughtry shares.

The farm has garnered strong community support since its inception. “The community response has been great,” Daughtry says. “We are trying to keep up with the demand!” This enthusiasm has also sparked a ripple effect, with many local residents starting their own backyard gardens and raised beds inspired by Sweetwater’s success.

As Sweetwater Farms continues to grow, Daughtry hopes it will remain a central part of the community’s food system. He envisions residents continuing to shop at the farm and spreading the word about the work being done in Houston. Daughtry’s broader goal is to share the farm’s mission of sustainable agriculture and education not only across the city but “all over the world.”

With its commitment to fresh food, education, and community engagement, Sweetwater Farms is helping to reshape the urban landscape of Houston, offering a model for how agriculture can empower and nourish communities both locally and globally.