About Us

“The health of the water is exactly the same as the health of the land; the health of small places is exactly the same as the health of large places.”

-Wendel Berry

Our Mission

To nurture a culture of health in our communities to renew the bond between people, place and food.

We develop farms as essential health infrastructure to upend systemic inequalities at the neighborhood level. We invest in small solutions as the pathway to realizing larger structural change.

Our Vision

Neighborhoods where farms are part of the fabric of the community’s daily life and where everyone regardless of age, income, race, or circumstance has the tools to be healthy.

Our Values

We invest in the small to achieve the big

We create solutions that lead to other solutions  

We do the work to pursue equity

We grow food in our community, for our community, by our community

We work together for the common good

We tell stories to explain our “why”

Our History

In 2014, Small Places was founded to develop urban farms as essential health infrastructure to upend systemic inequalities at the neighborhood level. We do this through agricultural placemaking on underutilized land that is centered around fostering community health. We focus on community food production and distribution, education, farmer training and community building through the tool of urban farming.

What makes Small Places Unique

We are farmer founded and managed

and are fully invested in the why, how, and what of a well-managed, productive and beautiful neighborhood farm.

Our farms are foundational health infrastructure

that create value for area stakeholders through programs, networking, collaborations and partnerships.

Our farms are part of the fabric of the community

and foster a culture, identity, and connection to people, place and food.

Our Founders

Small Places was founded by native Houstonians and brothers Mark, Tommy, and Daniel Garcia-Prats. Together and with the help of their friends and family, they launched their first small place, Finca Tres Robles – the only working farm in Houston’s historic East End neighborhood. In  2022, Small Places transitioned to a federally designated 501(c)3. Together they create a dynamic team with the necessary skills to manage and develop an agricultural business that doesn’t just produce food, but educates, fosters community, and remains on the forefront of innovation and localized economic development.

Thomas Garcia-Prats
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Daniel Garcia-Prats
Co-Founder, Director of Operations
Mark Garcia-Prats
Co-Founder, Board Member

MEET OUR BOARD

Drew Patton, Retired PDR (Chair)

Christi Vasquez-Martin, NASA (Vice Chair)

Dana Shamas, Bayou Bliss Yoga (Secretary)

Alan Sheppard, Gulf Star Group (Treasurer)

Rozina Damani, Chevron

Mark Garcia-Prats, Greystar

Breah Koosono-Ampem, Frost Bank

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