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Planting is now underway for a planned community farm located on McKinney’s Gray Branch Parkland.
What happened?
McKinney Roots officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony May 15 for the new community farm. The nonprofit is expected to move to Gray Branch Park later in 2026, where it will have room to expand farming and educational opportunities, according to McKinney Roots’ website.
President Rick Wells said the new farm will include a 200-tree orchard with peach and pear trees, a hydroponics greenhouse and a community center converted from a barn already on-site. The community farm will also allow McKinney Roots to double its chicken flock, Wells said.
“Eggs are by far the most coveted product that we produce, and doing this will allow us to double that,” he said.
The community farm will be located on 62 acres of parkland that the city purchased in 2016. City leaders approved an agreement for development in 2025. That agreement was amended in April with updated phasing timelines.
The background
McKinney Roots is an initiative of the Seed Project Foundation that distributes fresh produce to local nonprofits and churches within Collin County, according to its website.
Seed Project Foundation officials intend to construct and maintain a nonprofit community farm and public park facility on the land. Plans for the site include renovations to an existing barn structure to include an educational space, an office, a kitchen and a learning center, according to a city document.
Park improvements will be used for year-round educational and recreational farming programs for children and adults.
Quote of note
The idea for a community farm was brought to council during an October 2024 work session. George Fuller, former mayor and current chairperson of the McKinney Community Development Corp., said city leaders were excited for the opportunity to help make the project happen.
It will serve kids coming to learn about farming while also serving families in need, he said.
“Every week we meet families that are in need in this community,” he said. “We have the opportunity to do that. We have the opportunity to see that happen. We have the opportunity to partner to make that happen.”
Looking ahead
Improvements are expected to come in two phases. The first phase construction must be completed by August 15, 2026, and the second phase construction must be completed by April 15, 2027, according to a city document.
