Directions to Permaculture Classes & Tours

Many classes are conducted in the Urban Harvest classroom. Some classes, in particular some all day workshops, are held off site to provide a hands-on garden setting. Animal Farm is one off site location:

Animal Farm: a printable Map to Animal Farm Permaculture Center

Directions to Animal Farm Permaculture Center
Time: How long it takes you to get to Animal Farm depends on many factors including (1) where you live in the Houston area, (2) whether freeways are in construction mode on Saturday mornings, (3) how fast you drive on freeways, (4) whether you are carpooling, you know where they live, and people are ready on time, (5) whether you stop for bathroom breaks; (6) how familiar you are with finding the place; (7) how fast a walker you are once you get there. People take from 1.5 hours to 2 hours or more depending on their answers to these questions. We suggest you allow at least 2 hours the first time. Normally, allow 1.5 hour.
Directions:
1. From the intersection of I-45 and I-10, start out going west on I-10 toward San Antonio. Continue to follow I-10 W. 47.8 miles (alternatively join I-10 wherever its convenient)
2: Take the TX-36 exit- exit number 720- toward SEALY/BELLVILLE.
0.4 miles. The McDonald’s near this intersection is the last bathroom for at least 45 minutes.
3: Turn LEFT (north) onto TX-36/MEYER ST. 1.3 miles. Go through the town of Sealy until you cross railroad tracks.
4: Just past the railroad tracks, Turn LEFT onto COLUMBUS RD/FM 1094. Continue to follow FM 1094.
5. Go 11.6 miles past a light and Cat Spring sign to Hall Road
6: Turn RIGHT onto HALL RD. Note 8 sided (white) dance hall off the left as you head north on Hall. Continue on Hall until the first right (about 1/4 mile) at Sycamore Road.
7. Turn RIGHT on SYCAMORE past Southwind Bed and Breakfast on the right and go about 4.5 miles. The road starts well-paved and gradually gets smaller, becomes gravel, then dirt. You will pass ponds to the left, livestock, go over cattle guards and need to open more than one gate across the road. When you get to the very end, there is a gate to the left and a sign Animal Farm Permaculture Center. Enter the grounds through the gate and close it, and unless told differently, PARK just inside the gate ON THE LEFT.
8. Take your needed materials and staying inside the gate, START HIKING AWAY FROM THE GATE you just entered. Continue on the Animal Farm Road until it SPLITS and you see a sign “LEARNING CENTER” AND A LEFT ARROW. Unless told differently, go to the LEARNING CENTER. (The road to the right goes to the Van Woerden’s house, which is the other place people might be.)

The learning center is reached by a drivable road that goes in a broad counter-clockwise circle, so if you are in doubt, keep to the left and stay on paths wide enough to drive a car on. Eventually, you will come to another split—a tee. Again the right road goes to their house and the left one goes to the learning center. The learning center is at least a 20 minute walk from the parking lot inside the gate.