DFW Food Forest & Faith-Based Blue Zone Hub : PROPOSAL: TREES BEFORE SANDS

📢 PROPOSAL: TREES BEFORE SANDS - 3/20/2025

The 1001-Acre DFW Food Forest & Faith-Based Blue Zone Hub

Bismillah.
This is the moment. The opportunity to Redefine Local in a way that unites the DFW metro through food, faith, and the future of regenerative living.

💡 Instead of a casino, let's plant something that truly grows—a 1001-acre faith-based food forest and Farmers Market district that transforms Irving into the next global leader in sustainable urban agriculture and food sovereignty.

🌍 THE VISION: 1001 ACRES OF REGENERATION 🌱

At the heart of this vision is a reimagined Dallas Farmers Market Shed system, expanded to 12 community-powered sheds, each acting as a hub for:
✅ Locally grown food markets – Weekly markets where churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and faith communities can showcase, sell, and barter their own fresh produce.
✅ Faith-Based Blue Zones – Each community grows fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and flowers that reflect their cultural heritage and dietary traditions.
✅ Sacred Geometry Master Plan – The 12 sheds are arranged like a clock, each leading outward to a faith-based mega-community garden.
✅ Horticulture Innovation District – Partnering with The University of Dallas, Dallas College, and North Lake to advance the science of food forests, soil health, and urban farming.
✅ Sustainable Jobs & Entrepreneurial Growth – Direct job creation in:

  • Urban farming, permaculture design, and sustainable landscaping
  • Agro-tech, vertical farming, and smart greenhouse technology
  • Farmers market operations and local food distribution
  • Food processing, culinary arts, and farm-to-table enterprises

**💡 Irving can lead a revolution in food and faith. Why settle for a casino when we can create an economic powerhouse built on food sovereignty?

🌿 WHAT CAN 1001 ACRES OF FRUIT TREES PRODUCE?

🔹 100 trees per acre = 100,100 fruit trees planted
🔹 Each tree produces ~200 lbs of fruit annually
🔹 That’s 20,020,000 lbs of fresh fruit per year
🔹 Enough to feed every single person in DFW multiple times over

DFW currently imports over 90% of its food.
This project reverses that trend, making DFW one of the largest urban food-producing regions in America.

🔥 Impact:
✅ Millions of pounds of fruit available to all residents
✅ Churches & faith groups build sustainable food economies
✅ Massive carbon sequestration & water conservation benefits
✅ Local food becomes the norm, reducing dependence on imports

📌 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

💡 Phase 1: The Faith & Food Infrastructure (2025-2026)
📌 Establish the 12-Shed Market Model at the center of the 1001-acre zone
📌 Secure partnerships with churches, mosques, synagogues & faith leaders
📌 Begin phased planting of 100,000+ fruit trees
📌 Kickstart local food distribution & cooperative farming

💡 Phase 2: The Blue Zone Activation (2027-2028)
📌 Formalize food sovereignty programs in faith communities
📌 Launch the DFW Faith-Based Agro-Education Initiative
📌 Host the first interfaith “Bounty Market” & Urban Farm Expo

💡 Phase 3: National Model for Regenerative Cities (2029-2030)
📌 Integrate AI-powered urban farming technologies
📌 Establish long-term policy incentives for local food production
📌 Scale the Faith-Based Blue Zone Model to other U.S. cities

🚀 ECONOMIC & SOCIAL BENEFITS

✅ Thousands of new green jobs in urban farming, food technology, and distribution
✅ New agribusiness opportunities for local entrepreneurs & faith groups
✅ Irving becomes the epicenter of urban food innovation in Texas
✅ Less crime, more community engagement, healthier neighborhoods
✅ Redefining “local food” as a standard for every city in America

📢 CALL TO ACTION: A NEW FUTURE FOR IRVING & DFW

Instead of a casino, with Harry Hines Red Lights District behind it, let’s build a food forest and faith-driven economy.
✅ Irving has the land. The people. The history. The faith. The vision.
✅ This is bigger than just a market. It’s the rebirth of the DFW food system.
✅ And it starts with The Call to Grow.

FAQ: How much fruit does DFW consume every year?

Determining the exact annual fruit consumption for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area is challenging due to limited specific data. However, we can estimate based on available information:​

  1. Per Capita Fruit Consumption:

    • Nationally, only 12.3% of Americans meet the recommended daily fruit intake of 1.5 to 2 cups. ​Stacker
    • In Texas, 41.3% of adults consume less than one serving of fruit per day. ​Stacker

  2. DFW Population:

    • As of recent estimates, the DFW metroplex has a population of approximately 7.6 million residents.​txjanr.agintexas.org

  3. Estimated Annual Consumption:

    • Assuming the 58.7% of Texas adults who consume at least one serving of fruit daily reflect DFW's habits:​Stacker+1America’s Health Rankings+1
      • 58.7% of 7.6 million ≈ 4.46 million people.
      • If each consumes an average of 1 cup (approximately 150 grams) of fruit daily:
        • Daily: 4.46 million x 150g = 669 metric tons.
        • Annually: 669 metric tons x 365 days ≈ 244,185 metric tons.

Note: These figures are rough estimates and actual consumption may vary.

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Below is an in‐depth breakdown of the logistics, financial details, and community reinvestment plan for the 12-shed model in the 1001-acre food forest:

1. Operational & Infrastructure Logistics

A. Site & Layout:

  • 1001-Acre Food Forest:
    The land is dedicated to regenerative urban agriculture, divided into community zones and a central hub.
  • 12 Community-Powered Sheds:
    • Design: Eco-friendly, modular structures arranged in a clock-face formation for optimal connectivity.
    • Function: Each serves as a multi-use space for weekly farmers markets, agro-tech showcases, and educational hubs.
    • Connectivity: Sheds connect to a network of community gardens and a mega garden that radiates outward, embodying sacred geometry principles.

B. Core Components within Each Shed:

  • Market Operations:
    Local vendors (faith groups, cooperatives, startups) sell fresh produce, artisanal foods, and value-added products.
  • Community Hubs:
    Areas for workshops, training in urban farming and permaculture, and spaces for local cultural exchange.
  • Tech & Innovation Zones:
    Partnership zones with local academic institutions to pilot agro-tech solutions, smart greenhouse systems, and vertical farming setups.

C. Phased Implementation:

  • Phase 1 (2025-2026):
    Infrastructure development, establishment of the 12 sheds, and initial planting of over 100,000 fruit trees.
  • Phase 2 (2027-2028):
    Full operational launch of the market hubs and the activation of faith-based food programs, including educational initiatives.
  • Phase 3 (2029-2030):
    Integration of advanced urban farming technologies (including AI-powered systems) and scaling the model to serve as a national template.

2. Financial Projections, ROI, and Profit Details

A. Revenue Streams:

  • Primary Produce Sales:
    • Fruit Production:
      • Estimated yield: 100 trees per acre × 1001 acres ≈ 100,100 fruit trees.
      • At ~200 lbs of fruit per tree per year, the total production reaches roughly 20 million pounds of fruit annually.
    • Revenue from Fruit Sales:
      • At an estimated retail price of ~$0.50 per pound, fruit sales alone could generate around $10 million per year.
  • Secondary Income from Sheds:
    • Vendor Fees & Leasing:
      Each shed can generate income from stall rentals, event hosting, and local vendor fees. Conservatively, if each shed nets between $500K to $1M annually, the 12 sheds together contribute an additional $6–12 million per year.
    • Workshops & Agro-Tech Demonstrations:
      Additional revenue from training sessions, research partnerships with local colleges, and sponsored events.

B. Operating Margins & ROI:

  • Initial Investment Estimate:
    Let’s assume a capital expenditure in the vicinity of $50 million for land preparation, infrastructure, planting, and initial operational setup.
  • Annual Revenues:
    Combining primary and secondary streams, total annual revenue is projected in the $16–22 million range.
  • Net Profits:
    With operating margins estimated at 20–30%, annual net profits could range from $3.2 to $6.6 million.
  • ROI Timeline:
    Based on these figures, the project could achieve a robust ROI of approximately 15–20% within the first five years, with profitability increasing as operational efficiencies improve and community participation expands.

3. Reinvestment & Community Benefits

A. Profit Reinvestment Strategy:

  • Local Food Security Programs:
    A percentage of profits will be reinvested to subsidize local food costs, making fresh produce more accessible for all Irving residents.
  • Community Development & Job Training:
    Funds will support job training in urban farming, agro-tech, and sustainable landscaping, ensuring that new green jobs benefit local community members.
  • Infrastructure & Public Services:
    Investments in public amenities, community centers, and local schools, strengthening Irving’s civic infrastructure.
  • Local Ownership & Dividends:
    Through a transparent community board, a portion of profits will be distributed as dividends or tax breaks to local residents, fostering economic empowerment and community pride.

B. Broader Economic & Social Impacts:

  • Economic Powerhouse:
    With sustainable revenue streams and reinvestment cycles, Irving could emerge as a leader in urban agriculture, reducing reliance on food imports and generating a new model for local economic development.
  • Enhanced Community Engagement:
    The model promotes interfaith collaboration and local entrepreneurship, creating a vibrant, self-sustaining community ecosystem.
  • Environmental Benefits:
    Massive fruit production, carbon sequestration, and water conservation contribute to a greener, more resilient urban environment.

4. Summary

The 12-shed model isn’t just about generating profits—it’s a transformative approach that turns economic gains directly into community assets. By leveraging local resources and community partnerships, the project is designed to produce healthy returns on investment while building sustainable food systems and creating a lasting legacy for the People of Irving. This comprehensive plan ensures that every dollar generated reinvests into the local economy, fostering growth, resilience, and community well-being for years to come.


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