In the shadow of a Ferris wheel, the State Fair of Texas' urban farm has grown almost 150,000 pounds of produce to feed the residents of South Dallas.
On Oct. 1, 2024, fat tomatoes dangle near the concrete floor, while vibrant heads of lettuce bask on top of a pond tank. Workers shave pieces off of a giant block of mushrooms to weigh them. Children marvel at beds of microgreens. It's a typical day at Big Tex Urban Farms, at least during State Fair season.
While the fair runs for a month, Big Tex Urban Farms operates the entire year. It grows about 15 different plants, although some have multiple varieties.
All of the produce goes to community organizations and initiatives supporting South Dallas, which is a food desert with limited access to grocery stores. As of June 2024, the farm has donated more than 1.5 million servings.
Read more at Lonestar Live.