URUrban Roots Ntx
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About Urban Roots Ntx
At Conundrum Farms in Crowley, young people are not just helping with the work, they are learning how to lead it. Urban Roots Ntx pays high school students and interns to grow produce, support food distribution, and build the kind of teamwork, communication, and workplace skills that stick. The result is food on tables, leadership in the field, and a stronger connection between Fort Worth communities and fresh local produce.
What sets Urban Roots Ntx apart is how central young people are to the work. Through paid internships, they spend time in the fields and greenhouses, then bring that experience into farmers markets, hunger relief, and community service. Over time, interns can move into leadership roles and help guide the next crew.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Youth leadership development program
Paid youth internships that integrate agriculture, enterprise, and service so young people can grow and distribute produce while developing leadership, teamwork, workplace, and civic participation skills.
Seed Crew
A six-week first-year internship for high school students, paid at $12 per hour, with mornings in the fields and greenhouses and afternoons in workshops on responsibility, food systems, and personal growth.
Dirt Crew
A second-year internship, also known as Assistant Crew Leaders, with leadership training, a higher wage, farm projects, farmers market work, and preparation to help lead Seed Crew.
Root Crew
A third-year internship, also known as Crew Leaders, that includes leadership training and opportunities to lead Seed and Dirt Crews, facilitate interviews, lead workshops and volunteers, and do advanced farm work.
Food access and produce distribution
Growing fresh, organic produce for farmers markets, food banks, community pantries, and other food access initiatives across Fort Worth.
Volunteer opportunities
Individual, group, corporate, and event-based volunteering at the farm and related community projects.
About this work
Mission
FunkyTown Food Project grows young leaders through food and farming, transforming lives while building a more connected, nourished, and resilient community.
Who they serve
High school youth ages 14 to 18, interns ages 14 to 19, volunteers, and community members in Fort Worth and Tarrant County who benefit from fresh local food and food access initiatives.
Their impact
- The 2024 summer program hired 16 youth ages 14 to 19.
- About 30% of interns return year after year to assume leadership roles.
- Seed Crew is designed to grow and distribute thousands of pounds of produce.
- The Charles Schwab Challenge concession generally raises about $8,000 for the nonprofit.
How your donation helps
- $2,500 supports a paid intern for the entire Summer Youth Program.
- $1,000 supports the work of volunteers who help cultivate, harvest, wash, and pack produce.
- $500 supports a paid intern for one six-week Academic Year Program session.
- $200 provides water, sunscreen, and insect repellant for a summer of outdoor work.
- $75 helps cover about 10% of the annual spring seed stock.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
It was great when we got our paychecks...I felt accomplished because I earned it.
Volunteering with the FunkyTown Food Project changes your perspective; you become part of a diverse community of people dedicated to growing together. When you work together, sweat together, and build something together, you can’t help but get to know each other along the way.
If you don’t understand you’re part of a larger community, you’re never going to see the humanity and impact you could make on the environment
Grant support
$66,000 from 4 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- THE FRILL FOUNDATION — $15,000 (2024)TO FURTHER THEIR EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE PURPOSE
- RAINWATER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION — $15,000 (2024)PROGRAM SUPPORT - FUNKYTOWN FOOD
- THE EDAREN FOUNDATION — $15,000 (2024)FUNNYTOWN FOOD PROJECT 2024 SUMMER
- COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH TEXAS (TAX — $6,000 (2024)FOR 3 INTERNS TO PARTICIPATE IN A 6-WEEK FARM WORK AND LEADERSHIP BUILDING PROGRAM IN 2024
- RAINWATER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION — $15,000 (2023)PROGRAM SUPPORT - FUNKYTOWN FOOD
Events
Sunday farmers market at Conundrum Farms
weeklyA weekly farmers market hosted at Conundrum Farms from March through December.
Clearfork Farmers Market
weeklyConundrum Farms appears at the Clearfork Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Saginaw Farmers Market
monthlyConundrum Farms appears monthly at the Saginaw Farmers Market.
Charles Schwab Challenge concession stand
annualA volunteer concession stand at Colonial Country Club that sells beverages and snacks and raises funds for the nonprofit.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Urban Roots Ntx has shared.
Current needs
- Sponsors for 2026 summer interns
- Recurring monthly gifts
- Volunteer support for farm and market shifts
Volunteer opportunities
- Individual Saturday volunteer shifts at Conundrum Farms
- Group volunteer packages for teams of 6 to 50, or larger when available
- Charles Schwab Challenge concession stand shifts
- Farm tasks including preparing beds, planting, weeding, harvesting, and washing vegetables
- Community projects with partner nonprofits in and around Fort Worth
Recognition & press
In the media
- Fort Worth Report, "Fort Worth teens tackle food insecurity, sustainability through cultural conversations"
- Fort Worth Report, "FunkyTown Food Project’s executive director nourishes students’ dreams"
- Fort Worth Report, "How teenagers, veterans and farmers are finding purpose at this Tarrant County farm"
- Fort Worth Report, "‘I love coming out here.’ 13-year-old shines on FunkyTown Food Project farm"
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Where do volunteer shifts take place?
Volunteer work happens at Conundrum Farms in Crowley, Texas, and sometimes through community projects with other nonprofits in and around Fort Worth.
Do volunteers need farm experience?
No. Volunteers are trained in the field, so you do not need prior farm experience.
Similar nonprofits
Other food programs nonprofits in TX.