Why Growing Your Own Food is More Than Just a Trend: Lessons from Building SkyGrow in Fort Worth

The Real Reason People Are Growing Food at Home

It’s not just about health.
It’s not just about taste.
People are growing their own food because they want control.

Grocery prices are rising.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices increased by over 25% between 2020 and 2024.
Meanwhile, access to fresh produce is harder in many urban areas.
Over 19 million people in the U.S. live in food deserts. That’s one in every 16 Americans.

Growing food at home isn’t just fun anymore.
It’s survival.
It’s independence.
And it’s not going away.

What Is SkyGrow?

SkyGrow is a vertical system that grows plants using air and mist.
It doesn’t need soil.
It doesn’t take up much space.
It runs on solar power and uses very little water.

The system was built in Fort Worth using simple tools and materials.
No fancy software. No complex installation. Just a pump, a bucket, and a little care.
The goal? Make growing food simple and doable for anyone, anywhere.

Lesson 1: You Don’t Need a Backyard

Most people think you need land to grow food.
You don’t.
Vertical systems like SkyGrow can fit on balconies, rooftops, patios — even in classrooms.

A 2x2 foot space can grow herbs, lettuce, kale, and more.
That’s more than enough for daily salads and garnishes.

Use stackable planters, repurposed shelving, or tower kits.
Even five-gallon buckets can work with a bit of tubing and a pump.

Lesson 2: Water Is Precious — Use Less of It

Traditional farming uses a lot of water.
Aeroponics can cut water use by up to 90%.

In hot places like Texas, this is huge.
It also means fewer water bills and more sustainable growing.

Use a timer to mist plants in short bursts.
Recycle unused water through a small reservoir.
Add a solar panel and now it runs nearly free.

Lesson 3: Complicated Systems Fail Faster

Many home systems fail because they’re too complicated.
When a sensor breaks or the app crashes, plants die.

Simple tools are better.
If you can fix it with a screwdriver, you can keep it running.

Choose analog timers.
Avoid systems that need Wi-Fi.
Make sure you can clean and check everything by hand.

Low-tech lasts longer.
It’s easier to teach and share.

Lesson 4: Kids Learn Faster When They Grow It

One school in Fort Worth installed six grow towers behind their cafeteria.
Within weeks, students were harvesting their own greens.
Some had never tasted basil or mint before.

Gardens teach science, patience, and responsibility.
They build confidence.
And they make food exciting.

Set up a mini tower in a classroom or at home.
Let kids pick the seeds.
They’ll eat what they grow. Guaranteed.

Lesson 5: Food Deserts Need Local Solutions

A food desert isn’t about having no food.
It’s about having no good food.

If the closest grocery store is 2 miles away and you don’t have a car, that’s a problem.
And it’s not rare. Millions of Americans live like this.

Local systems like SkyGrow offer a fix.
You don’t have to wait for big stores to show up.
You can build something right in the community.

Churches, community centres, and libraries can host gardens.
Apartments can share rooftop towers.
Even empty parking lots can grow food vertically.

Action Steps to Get Started

1. Start With One Plant

Pick something easy.
Lettuce, basil, and spinach are good starters.
Buy a seedling or grow from seed in a small container.
Watch it. Water it. Learn.

2. Use What You Have

You don’t need a fancy setup.
A 5-gallon bucket, a submersible pump, and a timer can make a great grow tower.
Look for parts at home improvement stores or reuse old materials.

3. Keep It Low-Tech

Don’t overthink it.
Avoid systems that need troubleshooting.
Stick to things you can fix and clean by hand.

4. Learn and Share

Watch a video, join a group, or go to a local workshop.
Then share what you learn.
Teaching someone else makes it stick.

5. Grow With Others

Team up with neighbours or friends.
Split supplies. Share harvests.
Build a mini network.
One grower becomes three. Then ten.

Why This Matters Now

This isn’t about trends.
It’s about taking back control of food, health, and community.

The world is changing.
Weather is unpredictable.
Supply chains fail.
Costs rise.

But growing one plant at a time brings stability.
It brings joy.
And it works.

If you can grow your own lettuce, you’ve already won.
Now imagine what happens when your block grows enough to share.