Cultivate Academy-CTX BLOG

Why Now Is the Time for Temple to Lead: A Call to Invest in Community-Driven Wellness and Education

July 3, 2025

Across the nation, we are hearing a collective call for transformation—transformation that prioritizes health, family, and community over politics and polarization. In her recent debut as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins underscored this shift, stating that the Trump-Vance Administration will champion “transformational opportunities to create and implement policies that promote healthy choices, healthy families, and healthy outcomes.”

This message could not be clearer: the time for real solutions is now—and Temple is positioned to lead.

At Cultivate Academy-CTX, in partnership with Un-Included Club and the City of Temple, we are answering that call by building a model of health and education that starts in our own backyard. Literally. Our Urban Farm, weekly youth-led markets, and place-based learning environments are not theoretical—they’re thriving. Together, we are demonstrating what happens when local government, grassroots leadership, and student-centered innovation align.

Our curriculum teaches kids how to grow microgreens, cook nutrient-rich meals, and lead literacy events for families—all while mastering math, science, and communication. And we do it with a framework rooted in truth over trend, echoing the federal commitment to “sound science, not political science.” This work is grounded in wellness, wisdom, and a deep belief that every child has a role to play in healing their community.

This is not a partisan moment—it is a practical one. Our children are learning. Our families are growing. Our neighborhoods are being restored from within.

With a $175,000 matching investment, the City of Temple can help scale a model that is replicable, measurable, and nationally relevant. This investment will strengthen infrastructure at the Urban Farm, provide transportation to underserved families, offer paid leadership roles to youth, and fund business education at Temple College.

Now is the time to put faith into action, to plant deeply in the soil of our city, and to lead the way forward.

Let Temple be the model. Let our students be the proof.

Why Texas Needs Small-Scale Urban Agriculture Now More Than Ever

July 1, 2025

As Texas stares down the barrel of an intensifying water crisis, the question is no longer if we need to change how we grow food, but how soon we’re willing to do it. In a recent interview, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a stark warning: Texas is running out of water. Our agricultural systems—long dominated by large-scale commercial farming—are straining the state’s already fragile water supply.

This isn’t just about policy. It’s about survival. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it takes up to 2,000 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. That kind of water use is simply not sustainable in a state facing persistent droughts, rapid population growth, and limited aquifer recharge.

But there is hope—and it’s growing right in our communities.

The Power of Small-Scale Urban Agriculture

At Cultivate Academy-CTX, we are committed to modeling a better way forward: a model built on small-scale, community-centered agriculture. Through methods like vertical growing, we’re able to produce pounds and pounds of sunflower microgreens each week—using a fraction of the water that traditional farming requires.

These microgreens are not only water-smart but nutrient-dense and fast-growing, making them a powerful food source in areas where access to fresh produce is limited. They’re also a gateway crop: easy to grow, easy to harvest, and rich in educational value for students and families learning to cultivate their own food.

Building Food Infrastructure That Sustains, Not Strains

What’s needed now isn’t more industrial farming, but more localized, intelligent food systems—infrastructure that supports people and planet. This includes:

Rainwater Harvesting: A simple, effective way to reduce water dependency while supporting crop irrigation.
Crop Rotation: A time-tested method to maintain soil health, prevent erosion, and minimize pests without synthetic chemicals.
Raising Backyard Chickens: Chickens are resource-efficient animals that produce protein-rich eggs, fertilize soil naturally, and even provide pest control.

Together, these systems create resilient ecosystems that give power back to communities, reduce strain on public resources, and restore balance to our food chain.

A Call to Cultivate

Texas doesn't have the luxury of ignoring water conservation any longer. The path forward is clear: invest in scalable, regenerative food systems that work with our natural resources—not against them.

Urban agriculture isn’t just a trendy alternative—it’s an urgent necessity. By embracing small-scale solutions now, we’re not just preparing for a more sustainable future—we’re growing it.

Learn more about how Cultivate Academy-CTX is leading the way in urban farming, youth leadership, and food justice. Join us in cultivating conservation, community, and common sense.

"What is Cultivate Academy? Doree Collins, the founder, explains."

July 2, 2023

Cultivate Academy is a truly remarkable micro-school, nestled within the serene and picturesque surroundings of a sprawling 7-acre property located in the heart of East Temple. This captivating setting serves as an idyllic backdrop for an educational institution that is devoted to fostering metacognition, which involves the art of thinking about one's own thinking processes.

At the very core of Cultivate Academy lies a strong foundation built upon the principles of metacognition. Here, students are not just passive learners but are actively encouraged and empowered to explore and understand their own unique ways of learning. By delving into their individual learning processes, students gain a deep awareness of their own strengths, preferences, and strategies for acquiring knowledge. This comprehensive framework encompasses a diverse range of learning taxonomies, equipping students with a versatile toolkit for effectively acquiring and critically analyzing information.

The programs offered at Cultivate Academy are a direct extension of the innovative initiatives that initially took shape during Doree Collins' own transformative journey while working with the grassroots organization, the Un-Included Club. Each program has been thoughtfully designed to address crucial aspects of personal and academic growth, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded educational experience.

The "To Teach is to Learn Twice" (2T2L2) program embodies the belief that teaching others is a potent method for reinforcing and enhancing one's own learning. Students are actively encouraged to take on teaching roles, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and enrichment where knowledge is shared and multiplied. Through this process, students deepen their understanding of the subject matter while simultaneously honing their teaching and communication skills.

Leadership Development stands as another vital pillar of Cultivate Academy's educational approach. Through engaging activities and immersive experiences, students cultivate essential leadership skills and qualities. They learn effective communication, decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving, preparing them to become capable and compassionate leaders in various domains of their lives.

The "Kids Reading for Encouragement, Action, and Discovery" (Kids R.E.A.D.) literacy program nurtures a genuine love for reading while encouraging students to explore diverse literary genres. Students embark on exciting literary adventures, fostering the development of their reading comprehension, language skills, and creativity.

Through the "Soil and Seeds: Sprouts to Success" program, Cultivate Academy embraces the principles of urban agriculture, offering students hands-on experiences in sustainable farming practices. Students have the opportunity to witness the wonders of nurturing plants, cultivating their own produce, and understanding the vital interconnection between humans and nature. This program fosters an appreciation for the environment, food systems, and the significance of sustainable practices.

The extraordinary collaboration between the non-profit and for-profit sectors within Cultivate Academy generates a synergistic energy that propels students toward a positive and transformative trajectory. The micro-school serves as a shining example of holistic education, nurturing a genuine love for learning, empowering students with metacognitive tools, and instilling a deep sense of appreciation for community, the environment, and personal growth.

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