Our Mission
To work for justice by feeding our community—both body and soul. We feed the body by growing fruits and vegetables and raising bees. We feed the soul by building this farm together, forming a connection to each other and to the earth we are tending.
Misheni Yetu
Kufanya kazi kwa haki kwa kulisha jamii yetu kwa mwili na kwa Roho. Tunalisha kwa ku panda matunda na mboga na kuvuka Nyuki. Tunalisha Roho kwa kujenga shamba ihi pamoja, Kujenga upatanisho kwa kila mmoja na mmjona na kwa Dunia yote mzima.
Our Story
Early in 2020, the Women’s Empowerment Group of FAM Houston began dreaming about a place to grow fresh produce. Thanks to the support of local partners, a new community farm—Shamba Ya Amani—was established and continues to grow week by week. The farm is run by resettled refugees, immigrants, and local Houstonians with the hope that this agricultural endeavor will serve as a model for increasing food access and human connection.
Our collective of 32 farmers tend their own dedicated raised beds and make collective decisions about our ½-acre community field—what to grow and how to harvest and distribute the crops.
Shamba Ya Amani has flourished so that FAM Houston has hired a team of part-time farm stewards who plant, weed, water, harvest, and prepare crops for market. They determine weekly tasks, encourage others to participate, and collaboratively plan the next growing season.
Our regular community volunteer days are Saturdays from 9 am–noon. You’re welcome to join us! Service hours can be earned for various individuals and groups.
HOW TO BUY PRODUCE & FLOWERS
We are inviting African, Asian, and Middle Eastern grocers in the area to buy special varieties, fresh and direct from us! Additionally, a team of apprentices are learning beekeeping and entrepreneurial skills in partnership with Houston Botanic Garden and Bee Mindful in Austin. Seasonally, we also sell beautiful mixed bouquets and provide cut flowers to local businesses and restaurants.
For more details or inquiries, email our farm manager Kim Meyer: kim@famhoustontx.org
Recognition in the Community
11.2024 | “FAM Houston: Building Transformative Connections with Churches” [Texas Annual Conference]
04.2024 | “How women from four different countries became ‘Accidental Sisters’” [Houston Public Media]
03.2024 | “Farm of Peace sells flower crop for good cause” [Alief International District]
12.2023 | “Baylor psychiatry trainees learn refugee experiences at FAM Houston” [Baylor College of Medicine]
11.2023 | “VIDEO: Local Farms: Shamba Ya Amani” [Houston Food Bank]
06.2023 | “Home Away from Home” [Edible Houston]
12.2022 | “How do community gardens work?” [Houston Chronicle]
10.2022 | “New community establishes roots with refugee-run farm” [Texas Annual Conference]
11.2021 | “VIDEO: Determined to Thrive” [FAM Houston]
SPECIAL THANKS
Our community partners:
Land owned by: Alief Independent School District
Land managed by: International District
Farm Address
8401 Dairy View Lane
Houston TX 77072
(across the street from Youngblood Intermediate School)
Contact us
Bring a group of volunteers to the farm. Schedule a tour. Make a donation. Become a farmer. Purchase produce or flowers.
Send questions to shamba@famhoustontx.org