Directory of Gardens
Willow River Farms
| Location | Outside of San Felipe, west of Houston |
| Main Purpose | Therapy, food, and income for the residents of Willow River Farms |
| Established | 1990 |
| To Visit or to Volunteer | Call Urban Harvest for contact info |
Willow River Farms opened in 1990 as a residential facility for adults with mental retardation. Our community gardening efforts provide therapy to our residents as well as an excellent source of nutrition for their diet. Willow River Farms is located outside the historic town of San Felipe, Texas, fifty miles west of Houston. The Farms property encompasses three hundred acres. Approximately fifty acres are developed for active community living and 60 acres of certified organic farming.
The
farm program offers a variety of work activities. At the greenhouse plants
and herbs are grown. There are many grounds-keeping projects and farm animals
to care for. Organic produce is grown and harvested for sale. A portion of
the harvests are brought to resident houses to share with friends and family.
The farm provides meaningful employment for our residents in a relaxed, home-like
setting on the Brazos River. Vegetables we have been growing recently at
Willow River include corn, peppers, greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and okra.
Additional
volunteers are always welcome at Willow River Farms. We welcome groups of
volunteers as well as individuals. A volunteer interested in helping with
our gardening efforts need not be an experienced gardener, and youth and
families are also welcome. Visits to the farm are also welcome on the weekdays
between 8:30AM and 4:00PM.
For more information about Willow River Farms, contact the Urban Harvest office or visit Willow River's website at www.willowriverfarms.org
