Backed by grant funding from the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program, PIF is actively searching for its Commons site. 

What We Need

• 50 acres+ within a 40-mile radius of central Houston
• Land with suitable agricultural soils and outside the 500-year floodplain
• A values-aligned landowner who is ready to pass their land on, establishing a legacy that will benefit generations of farmers. We are particularly interested in working with retiring farmers, religious organizations, and public institutions. 

Our team will screen potential sites to find the best-fit for our needs. 

Please pass along any leads by emailing us at commons@plantitforward.farm

Our Vision: Securing the Future of Regenerative Family Farming

Through our Commons Initiative, we will develop a 50+ acre cooperative farm, creating space for 30+ families at a time to establish, grow, and sustain regenerative farms. By solving the number one barrier to entry for new farmers – affordable, secure land access – we are setting the table for a stronger, healthier Houston.

Our farming commons will  deliver abundance and resilience to Houston by: 

• Increasing by 1,000%+ the number of Houstonians with access to nourishing, farm fresh foods
• Generating $750,000+/year, directly supporting our local economy
• Preserving and developing sustainable growing practices to meet our meeting needs in the 21st century and beyond

What is an Agrarian Commons?

An initiative of our national partner, Agrarian Trust, the Agrarian Commons movement is breathing new life into a traditional land management method: commoning. 

The Commons:

• Are community land-holding entities organized by farmers, community members, and Agrarian Trust
• Farmers operate independent farming enterprises with land security through the commons
• A commons permanently removes land and assets from commoditized markets and conveys long-term, affordable tenure to benefit farmers and their communities

Learn more about why this matters to farmers, and how commoning could work for Houston

Here’s how you can help us transform Houston farming:

Share the news! We are looking for the right site and the right landowner. Help us find them by telling everyone you know that we are in the market! Contact Rachel Lockhart Folkerts, PIF Commons Director, with questions or leads.

Donate We rely on the continued support of this community to sustain our work to cultivate a more inclusive and resilient food system. To dedicate your gift to the Commons Initiative, send a note to us at info@plantitforward.farm

Volunteer We need volunteers to help us spread the word by tabling at community events or helping us develop videos and promotional materials. As we progress, we will need community leaders to help us develop the Commons. Join our next volunteer orientation to get started!