How to Plan a Grow Tour in Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas, is more than just a city of cowboys and cattle—it’s a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability, and community-driven agriculture. In recent years, the concept of a “Grow Tour” has gained momentum across urban and suburban landscapes, and Fort Worth is no exception. A Grow Tour is a curated, educational journey through local gardens, urban farms, community greenhouses, and sustainable agriculture sites. These tours are designed to inspire residents, students, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to embrace food sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and local food systems.

Unlike traditional farm tours that focus on large-scale production, a Grow Tour in Fort Worth emphasizes hyper-local, small-scale, and often regenerative growing practices. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, a school teacher planning an outdoor lesson, a city planner exploring food access solutions, or a business owner looking to integrate green spaces into your brand, planning a Grow Tour offers profound insights into how food is grown, shared, and celebrated in North Texas.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to planning your own Grow Tour in Fort Worth. You’ll learn how to identify key locations, engage the community, secure logistics, design educational content, and measure impact—all tailored to the unique cultural, climatic, and urban fabric of the city. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to create a meaningful, memorable, and scalable Grow Tour experience that strengthens local food resilience and connects people to the land.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Purpose and Audience

Before selecting locations or sending out invitations, clarify why you’re organizing the tour and who it’s for. Your purpose will shape every decision—from the length of the tour to the type of content you present.

Are you aiming to:

• Educate high school students about sustainable agriculture?
• Connect local food entrepreneurs with potential investors?
• Advocate for urban farming policy changes with city council members?
• Engage residents in neighborhood food security initiatives?

Each goal requires a different approach. For example, a tour for educators might include lesson plans and curriculum alignment, while a tour for investors may highlight revenue models and scalability of urban farms. Identify your primary audience and secondary audiences. Are they families? Professionals? Seniors? Students? This determines the tone, pacing, and accessibility of your tour.

Fort Worth’s diverse neighborhoods—from the historic Near Southside to the growing urban farms in Tarrant County—offer different entry points. Tailor your purpose to resonate with the community you’re engaging.

Step 2: Research and Map Key Grow Sites

Fort Worth is home to over 40 active urban farms, community gardens, and educational green spaces. Start by compiling a list of potential sites using publicly available resources like the Fort Worth Food Policy Council’s directory, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s urban agriculture listings, and local nonprofit websites such as Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Urban Harvest Fort Worth.

Look for sites that represent a diversity of growing models:

• Community Gardens: Like the West Side Community Garden or the Southside on Lamar Community Garden, where residents collectively manage plots.
• Commercial Urban Farms: Such as Green Thumb Urban Farm or The Farm at 360, which sell produce at farmers markets or through CSA programs.
• Educational Centers: Including the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s Edible Garden or the Texas Wesleyan University Urban Farm, which offer workshops and school programs.
• Nonprofit Initiatives: Like the North Texas Food Bank’s Grow & Give program, which trains underserved populations in food production.
• Innovative Models: Rooftop farms, hydroponic systems in repurposed warehouses, or vertical gardens in public housing complexes.

Use Google Maps or a GIS tool to plot these locations. Prioritize sites that are geographically clustered to minimize travel time. A well-designed tour should not require more than 15–20 minutes of transit between stops. Aim for 3–5 stops total to maintain engagement and avoid fatigue.

Step 3: Contact Site Hosts and Secure Permissions

Once you’ve selected your sites, reach out to the managers or coordinators. Be professional, specific, and respectful of their time and operations.

Your outreach should include:

• Your name, organization (if applicable), and purpose of the tour.
• Proposed date, estimated number of participants, and duration of visit.
• What you’re asking for: Guided walk-through, Q&A time, photo permissions, access to educational materials.
• Any support you can offer in return: Promotion on your social channels, volunteer help, donation of supplies.

Many urban farms operate with small staffs and limited hours. Give at least 4–6 weeks’ notice. Some sites may require a liability waiver or insurance certificate—ask early. In Fort Worth, many community gardens are managed by volunteers through neighborhood associations; building personal relationships here is critical.

Consider creating a simple partnership agreement—even a one-page email confirmation—so both parties are clear on expectations. Document permissions in writing to avoid last-minute cancellations.

Step 4: Design the Tour Itinerary

Your itinerary should be more than a list of addresses—it’s a narrative arc. Think of your tour as a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Example Itinerary (Half-Day Tour):

• 9:00 AM – Welcome & Orientation (Central meeting point: Fort Worth Botanic Garden entrance)
• 9:30 AM – Stop 1: West Side Community Garden (Focus: Community organizing, soil health, native plant integration)
• 10:30 AM – Stop 2: Green Thumb Urban Farm (Focus: Commercial viability, CSA model, composting systems)
• 11:30 AM – Stop 3: Texas Wesleyan Urban Farm (Focus: Youth education, curriculum integration, student-led operations)
• 12:30 PM – Closing Circle & Lunch (Potluck-style gathering with locally sourced food at a nearby park)

Each stop should last 30–45 minutes. Include time for walking between sites and short breaks. Avoid scheduling during peak heat hours (1–4 PM) in Texas summers. Spring and fall are ideal seasons for tours due to mild temperatures and active growing cycles.

Assign a “story theme” to your tour. For example: “From Soil to Table: How Fort Worth is Feeding Itself.” This theme ties together each stop and reinforces the overarching message.

Step 5: Plan Logistics and Accessibility

Logistics can make or break your tour. Even the most inspiring content falls flat if participants can’t get there, stay comfortable, or understand what they’re seeing.

Transportation: If your sites are spread out, arrange carpools, shuttle vans, or coordinate with local transit. Fort Worth’s Trinity Metro bus system connects many neighborhoods, but it’s not always reliable for timed tours. Consider renting a small van or partnering with a local ride-share service for discounted group rates.

Accessibility: Ensure all sites are wheelchair-accessible. Many community gardens have uneven paths or raised beds—communicate this in advance. Offer alternative viewing options or virtual previews for participants with mobility challenges.

Supplies: Bring water, sunscreen, hats, and bug spray. Provide printed maps, tour schedules, and QR codes linking to digital resources. Include a small notebook or feedback form at the end for participants to share insights.

Weather Contingency: Texas weather is unpredictable. Have a rain plan: Can you shift a stop indoors? Are there covered pavilions or nearby community centers? Inform participants in advance about what to wear and bring.

Step 6: Develop Educational Content and Talking Points

Each site should have a clear educational takeaway. Don’t assume participants know what they’re seeing. Prepare simple, compelling talking points for each stop.

For example, at Green Thumb Urban Farm:

• “This 1-acre farm produces over 10,000 pounds of organic vegetables annually using only rainwater and compost.”
• “They sell 70% of their harvest through a 120-member CSA, with sliding-scale pricing so low-income families can afford fresh food.”
• “Their compost system turns food waste from 15 local restaurants into nutrient-rich soil—closing the loop on urban waste.”

Use visuals: Bring photos of seasonal crops, soil samples, or before-and-after shots of land transformation. Invite site managers to speak in their own words—it adds authenticity.

Create a handout or digital packet with key facts, definitions (e.g., “What is a CSA?”), and local food statistics. For example:

• “Fort Worth has a food desert population of over 200,000 residents.”
• “Only 3% of land in Tarrant County is used for food production.”
• “Urban farms in Fort Worth have increased by 200% since 2018.”

Encourage questions. Designate a “curiosity corner” at each stop where participants can write down questions on sticky notes for later discussion.

Step 7: Promote the Tour

Effective promotion ensures strong turnout and community buy-in. Use a mix of digital and grassroots channels.

• Social Media: Create a Facebook event, Instagram carousel posts featuring site photos, and short TikTok videos of farmers speaking. Use hashtags like

  FortWorthGrowTour, #GrowFW, #UrbanFarmTexas.

• Local Media: Pitch stories to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, WFAA, and local blogs like Fort Worth Magazine or The Shorthorn.
• Partnerships: Collaborate with schools, libraries, churches, and environmental nonprofits to distribute flyers and email blasts.
• Signage: Place posters in community centers, grocery stores, and coffee shops near tour sites.

Offer early-bird registration with a small incentive—like a free seed packet or reusable tote bag—to encourage sign-ups. Use Google Forms or Eventbrite to collect names, dietary restrictions, accessibility needs, and contact info.

Step 8: Recruit and Train Volunteers

You can’t manage a tour alone. Recruit 5–10 volunteers to help with registration, guiding, photography, and safety.

Provide them with:

• A tour script with talking points for each stop.
• A map and schedule.
• Emergency contact numbers.
• Basic first aid knowledge and procedures.

Assign roles clearly: One person handles check-in, another leads the group, a third takes photos, and a fourth manages time. Hold a 30-minute briefing the day before the tour to align everyone on goals and expectations.

Volunteers who are familiar with the sites or have gardening experience are ideal. Consider offering them a certificate of participation or a small token of appreciation.

Step 9: Execute the Tour with Flexibility

On the day of the tour, arrive early. Set up signage, water stations, and welcome tables. Greet participants warmly and remind them of the day’s theme.

Be prepared to adapt. A site might be closed unexpectedly. A participant might have a medical issue. The weather might change. Stay calm and flexible. Have backup contacts for each site. If a stop is canceled, pivot to a nearby public park with edible plants and turn it into an impromptu lesson on foraging or native species.

Encourage interaction: Let participants touch the soil, smell the herbs, taste a ripe tomato. Make it sensory, not just visual.

Take photos (with permission) and capture quotes from participants and hosts. These will be invaluable for your follow-up and future promotion.

Step 10: Follow Up and Measure Impact

Don’t let the tour end when the last person leaves. Follow up within 48 hours with a thank-you email that includes:

• Photos from the day.
• A link to a digital feedback form.
• Links to resources: where to buy local food, how to start a garden, upcoming workshops.

Ask participants:

• What did you learn?
• Will you change your food-buying habits?
• Would you volunteer or start a garden?

Track responses. If 60% say they plan to join a CSA or start a backyard garden, that’s measurable impact. Share results with your partners and funders.

Consider creating a “Grow Tour Alumni” group on Facebook or WhatsApp to keep the conversation going. Invite participants to future events, volunteer days, or policy meetings.

Finally, write a short case study or blog post summarizing your tour. Submit it to local publications or the Fort Worth Food Policy Council newsletter. This builds credibility and attracts future support.

Best Practices

Planning a successful Grow Tour isn’t just about logistics—it’s about cultivating relationships, trust, and lasting change. Here are the best practices that separate good tours from transformative ones.

1. Prioritize Local Voices

Let the farmers, gardeners, and community leaders speak for themselves. Avoid scripting them. Their stories—of overcoming drought, navigating zoning laws, or feeding their families—are more powerful than any brochure. Record short video testimonials to use in future promotions.

2. Embrace Inclusivity

Fort Worth is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Texas. Ensure your tour materials are available in Spanish and other commonly spoken languages. Offer bilingual guides if possible. Make sure your messaging doesn’t assume prior gardening knowledge—avoid jargon like “permaculture” or “mycorrhizal fungi” unless you define it simply.

3. Focus on Action, Not Just Awareness

Don’t just inform—inspire action. At the end of each stop, offer a concrete next step: “Sign up for our compost workshop,” “Join our seed swap,” “Download our free backyard gardening guide.” Make it easy for people to take the next step.

4. Build Long-Term Partnerships

A one-time tour is a spark. A recurring series is a movement. Work with your site hosts to create an annual Grow Tour calendar. Align with Fort Worth’s “Grow Local” month in April or Texas Agriculture Week. Turn your tour into a signature community event.

5. Document Everything

Keep a photo journal, participant feedback logs, and budget records. This documentation helps you secure grants, attract sponsors, and improve future tours. Use free tools like Google Drive or Notion to organize your files.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Did a teenager ask how to start a garden at home? Did a senior citizen bring her neighbor to the next tour? Did a local restaurant decide to source lettuce from one of your tour sites? These are victories. Acknowledge them publicly and privately.

7. Respect the Land

Remind participants to stay on paths, not pick plants without permission, and leave no trash. Model sustainable behavior. If you’re using plastic water bottles, switch to refillable ones. If you’re printing handouts, use recycled paper. Your tour should reflect the values you’re promoting.

8. Integrate Policy and Advocacy

Use your tour as a platform to highlight policy gaps. For example: “Fort Worth has no urban farming zoning code.” Invite a city council member to join a stop. Share data on food deserts. Turn curiosity into advocacy.

Tools and Resources

Planning a Grow Tour is easier with the right tools. Here’s a curated list of free and low-cost resources specifically useful for Fort Worth organizers.

Mapping and Planning

• Google Maps – Plot stops, calculate distances, share route links.
• Mapbox – Create custom interactive maps for your website or email campaigns.
• ArcGIS Online (Free for Nonprofits) – For advanced spatial analysis of food access and green space distribution.

Registration and Communication

• Eventbrite – Free ticketing and RSVP tracking.
• Google Forms – Collect feedback, dietary needs, and accessibility requests.
• Mailchimp – Free email newsletter for updates and follow-ups (up to 500 contacts).
• WhatsApp Group – Real-time communication with volunteers and participants.

Educational Content

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Urban Gardening – Free fact sheets on soil testing, composting, and drought-tolerant plants.
• Fort Worth Food Policy Council – Download their “Urban Agriculture Resource Guide” and “Food Access Map.”
• Edible Communities Network – Access local food guides and storytelling templates.
• YouTube Channels: “Urban Farming in Texas” and “The Urban Farmer” for video clips to show during tours.

Grant and Funding Opportunities

• North Texas Food Bank – Community Garden Grants – Up to $5,000 for educational garden projects.
• Texas Department of Agriculture – Urban Agriculture Incentive Grants – Supports land access and infrastructure.
• Fort Worth Community Arts Center – Environmental Arts Grants – For tours that integrate art, photography, or performance.
• Local Foundations: The Meadows Foundation and the Tarrant County Community Foundation often fund food equity initiatives.

Supplies and Equipment

• Reusables: Buy or borrow cloth bags, stainless steel water bottles, and compostable utensils.
• Printed Materials: Use local print shops like The Print Shop in Fort Worth for affordable, eco-friendly flyers.
• Signage: Use chalkboards or reusable banners instead of disposable signs.

Volunteer Coordination

• VolunteerMatch.org – Connect with local volunteers interested in sustainability.
• DoSomething.org – Engage high school and college students for community service hours.

Real Examples

Let’s look at three real, successful Grow Tours in Fort Worth that demonstrate different approaches and outcomes.

Example 1: “Garden to Classroom” – Fort Worth Independent School District

In spring 2023, FWISD partnered with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and three urban farms to launch a monthly Grow Tour for middle school science classes. Each tour aligned with Texas TEKS standards on ecosystems and food systems.

Students visited a hydroponic lab, planted seeds in raised beds, and interviewed farmers about water use. Teachers received lesson plans and seed kits to continue learning back in the classroom.

Outcome: 92% of participating students reported they “understood where food comes from better,” and 68% said they wanted to grow food at home. The district has since funded a permanent school garden at each of the 15 participating campuses.

Example 2: “The Southside Grow Loop” – Community-Led Initiative

Residents of the Near Southside neighborhood, frustrated by limited access to fresh produce, organized a self-guided Grow Tour map. They created QR codes placed at 12 community gardens and small farms. Residents could scan the codes with their phones to hear audio stories from gardeners in English and Spanish.

They partnered with a local radio station to air weekly “Grow Spotlights,” and hosted a monthly “Grow & Graze” event where attendees could sample food grown on-site.

Outcome: Within six months, the number of active community garden plots in the neighborhood increased by 40%. A local nonprofit secured a grant to install a public composting station.

Example 3: “Corporate Greening Tour” – Fossil Fuel Company Turned Sustainability Advocate

Unexpectedly, a Fort Worth-based energy company launched a sustainability initiative and organized a private Grow Tour for its employees. They visited urban farms that repurposed brownfield sites (former industrial land) into food-producing ecosystems.

The tour included a panel discussion with urban farmers on climate resilience. Employees were then invited to adopt a garden plot or donate to a local food bank.

Outcome: The company reduced its carbon footprint reporting by highlighting its support for urban agriculture. Employee engagement scores rose by 30%. One employee started a rooftop garden on the company’s parking garage.

These examples show that Grow Tours can be tailored to any audience—students, residents, or even corporations—and still create deep, lasting impact.

FAQs

Can I plan a Grow Tour if I’m not an expert in gardening?

Absolutely. Your role is to connect people to the experts. You don’t need to know how to prune tomatoes—you just need to know how to ask good questions and facilitate learning. Use the resources provided in this guide to learn the basics and rely on site hosts to teach the details.

How much does it cost to plan a Grow Tour?

You can plan a basic tour for under $200 using volunteer labor, free digital tools, and donations of supplies. Larger tours with shuttles, printed materials, and food may cost $500–$1,500. Seek grants or sponsorships from local businesses to offset costs.

What’s the best time of year to host a Grow Tour in Fort Worth?

March–May and September–November offer the best weather and most active growing seasons. Avoid July and August due to extreme heat. Spring tours highlight planting; fall tours showcase harvests.

Do I need insurance for a Grow Tour?

If you’re organizing through a school, nonprofit, or business, your organization’s liability insurance may cover it. If you’re an individual, check with your homeowner’s policy. Many community sites require a certificate of insurance for groups larger than 10. Contact your insurer for a short-term event policy if needed.

How do I get permission to visit private farms or businesses?

Always ask in writing. Explain your purpose, group size, and duration. Offer to promote their work on your social media. Many small farms welcome visitors—it’s a chance to build customer relationships.

Can I include children and seniors on the same tour?

Yes, but design activities for different age groups. Offer coloring sheets for kids and seated Q&As for seniors. Ensure paths are wide and shaded. Consider splitting into small groups if the tour is long.

What if a site cancels last minute?

Have a backup site—ideally a public park with edible plants. Turn it into a “foraging walk” or “native plants of North Texas” lesson. Flexibility is part of the process.

How do I make my tour more sustainable?

Use digital handouts, refillable water stations, reusable signage, and encourage carpooling. Partner with local composting services to handle food waste from any meals served.

Can I charge for the tour?

You can suggest a donation to cover costs, but avoid strict fees. The goal is accessibility. If you need funding, apply for grants or seek sponsorships from local businesses who support food equity.

Where can I find more Grow Tours in Fort Worth to visit?

Check the Fort Worth Food Policy Council website, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden events calendar, and local Facebook groups like “Fort Worth Urban Gardeners.” Many tours are free and open to the public.

Conclusion

Planning a Grow Tour in Fort Worth is more than organizing a day out—it’s planting seeds of change. In a city where food insecurity coexists with sprawling development, where cultural diversity meets climate challenges, Grow Tours become powerful tools for education, connection, and resilience.

By following the steps outlined here—from defining your purpose to measuring your impact—you’re not just guiding people through gardens. You’re helping them see the land differently. You’re showing them that food doesn’t come from a truck or a shelf—it comes from soil, sweat, and community.

The urban farms of Fort Worth are not just sources of tomatoes and kale. They are classrooms, healing spaces, economic engines, and acts of resistance against food injustice. Your Grow Tour can amplify their voices, expand their reach, and inspire others to dig in.

Start small. Connect with one garden. Invite five neighbors. Share one story. Then build from there. The movement doesn’t need to be perfect—it needs to be real. And in Fort Worth, where the land is rich and the people are resilient, that’s more than enough to grow something extraordinary.