Farming As A Mission

A real farm in the middle of Montrose: New organic farms are changing Houston produce

As unlikely as the idea may seem for a crowded neighborhood in the middle of Houston, a non-profit has established a small urban farm in the middle of Montrose. On a plot of land leased to it by the University of St. Thomas for $1, local non-profit group Plant It Forward is teaching refugees the basics of organic farming.

"Right now most of our farmers are from the Congo," Colleen O'Donnell of Plant it Forward tells CultureMap. "They had to leave because of the civil war. So they get here and their skill set doesn’t really match up with the jobs available. We were trying to bring more produce to Houston and help them assimilate and share their talents with us."

Despite a chill in the air, there's a warm feeling that infuses the area with good vibes.

Although the land is under an acre, strolling along the rows and admiring the farmers' handiwork makes the area feel very far away from the city that surrounds it. Despite a chill in the air, there's a warm feeling that infuses the area with good vibes. Plant It Forward has partnered with St. Thomas environmental studies professor Damien Marie Savino, who brings her students to the farm.

Gary Edmondson and Ray Sher train the farmers in organic techniques and guide them about when to plant and harvest. Edmondson tells CultureMap that he's been farming for more than 20 years. Right now, the farm grows kale, snow peas, spinach, beets and other crops that are sold to restaurants, at the Urban Harvest farmers market and via a farm share subscription (CSA) that will begin a new season of deliveries starting Nov. 17.

At a dinner on the farm Sunday night, Dylan Murray of Benjy's and Local Foods featured items grown from the farm with ingredients from other local producers. Guests included an array of local chefs known for using local produce, including Anita Jaisinghani (Indika, Pondicheri), Benjy Mason (Down House), Danny Trace (Brennan's) and Vincent Huynh (Coltivare). They feasted on roast pork, grilled shrimp and a variety of vegetables.

In a speech before the meal, Sher urged the chefs to request the produce they'd like to see the farm produce. That symbiotic relationship will help Plant It Forward grow beyond its two existing farms. O'Donnell says they'd like to have one in every neighborhood in Houston.

Up next? Westbury.

Believe it or not, this urban farm is located next to the University of St. Thomas.

1 Plant it Forward Farm Dinner November 2013

Photo by Eric Sandler

Believe it or not, this urban farm is located next to the University of St. Thomas.

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one last squeeze

Ben Berg's New York-inspired, fancy burger joint will soon shutter

Photo by Leah Wilson

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The original location of Ben Berg’s fancy burger joint will soon serve its last meal. B.B. Lemon on Washington Avenue will close after service on Sunday, June 1, the restaurant announced on social media.

In response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision, a representative provided a statement that reads in part:

“It is never an easy decision to close a restaurant,” Berg said. “The love Houston has shown B.B. Lemon-Washington over the years is what made it such a special place. Thank you for making us part of your everyday moments and life celebrations.”

The statement continues that the restaurant is “no longer part of our strategic plan,” referring to Berg’s company, Berg Hospitality Group. However, the location of B.B Lemon that opened last year in the downtown tunnels will remain open.

Open since late 2018, B.B. Lemon takes inspiration from iconic New York City restaurant JG Melon, including its signature green-and-white checked tablecloths. Thanks to a spacious patio and a lively atmosphere, B.B. Lemon soon found favor with area residents and downtown office workers, who made it a happy hour favorite.

Like its decor, B.B. Lemon’s menu also takes inspiration from the East Coast. In addition to a diner-style, wagyu cheeseburger, the restaurant serves an array of comfort food that includes fish and chips, a lobster roll, and blue crab beignets.

Berg’s decision to close B.B. Lemon follows last year’s closure of Benny Chows, its New York-inspired Chinese American restaurant. In January, the company closed NoPo Cafe to make way for a new location of Bagel Bob’s HTX.

The group also opened three new concepts in 2024: live fire steakhouse Prime 131, retro diner Buttermilk Baby, and upscale steakhouse Turner’s Cut. It will open a second location of Buttermilk Baby in Sugar Land this summer.

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