Our world needs more arable soil to support the agricultural needs of its population, but individuals with knowledge of how to rebuild healthy soil and to grow food sustainably are rapidly aging out of the workforce. At the same time, children living in Fort Worth and other urban areas are typically unaware of these career options. Even those who develop an interest in agronomy, sustainability, and permaculture by high school often lack a clear pathway and resources to obtain the higher education and mentorship needed to pursue a career in these fields.
Enter Econautics Sustainability Institute, Inc. (Econautics), a 501c3 nonprofit organization bringing children the hands-on training and education that prepares them for careers in agronomy and agriculture. Beginning with the Woodhaven neighborhood in east Fort Worth, Econautics is working to build a cradle-to-career pipeline that will produce the soil experts we need now and in the future.
Public education in Texas addresses part of this need with classes in basic math, science, and engineering, but it doesn’t direct students toward the specific careers that will be needed to solve the agricultural sustainability crises of the future. Every student needs exposure to hands-on training for the career opportunities that will serve our most urgent agrarian needs, but for the children of Woodhaven this need is substantial.
Woodhaven is a food desert where children from low-income households have little-to-no access to public green spaces, and where unusually high rates of chronic absenteeism and low academic performance are the norm. Without intervention, these children are likely to drop out by high school, potentially trapping them in the poverty cycle for the rest of their lives.
Last spring, Econautics piloted our first program in Woodhaven - a middle school science and gardening club at International Leadership of Texas - Woodhaven (ILT) a public PK-8 charter school which recently became the only school in Woodhaven. In total, we had about 40 ILT students enroll and 20-30 who regularly attended club activities during their Friday enrichment period - the last class of the day on the last day of the week. We were honored to be invited back for the 2025-26 school year and are refining our curriculum using feedback gathered from ILT students, teachers and administrators at the end of last term. At the school's request, we plan to expand to include fifth graders in what we are now calling the PermaLab Science Club.
To plant the seeds of healthier, more resilient communities by creating Living Laboratories for the exploration, study and teaching of sustainable agricultural practices.
Focus
To address environmental, health and economic disparities prevalent in under resourced areas through these Living Laboratories and through strategic partnerships with trusted organizations already embedded in the community.
Vision
To create a future where all children grow up with access to an abundance of diverse and nutritious foods, as well as the knowledge and skills to steward Earth’s natural resources for generations to come.
Econautics has a critical need for general operating support. In addition to funding, our greatest needs include:
A. In-Kind Donations - The following are examples of items that will be needed this school year:
Science Fair Supplies
- Trifold Presentation Boards
- Glue
- Mounting Tape
- Modeling Clay
- Foam Boards
- Markers
- Water and Soil Test Kits
- Plants and Seeds
- Sand, Soil, Clay
- Funnels
- Scales
- Infrared Thermometers
- Self-Adhesive Vinyl Letters and Numbers
- Meter Sticks
- Open Reel Tape Measurers
- String/Twine
- Science Journals
Gardening Supplies
- Organic Plant Seeds and Seedlings
- Dried Molasses
- Soil
- Pots and Planters
- Gloves
- Shovels
- Spades
- Seed trays
- Tents
- Folding tables
- Folding chairs
- Tarps
- Watering Cans
B. Volunteers - We have a wide range of opportunities available as Econautics builds and grows. A few roles include:
- Accounting and Finance Roles
- Committee Members
- Educational Curriculum Consultants
- Expert Speakers
- Fundraisers/Event Hosts
- School Program Volunteers
- Social Media Ambassadors
These lists aren't fully inclusive and will change as our operations grow. For our most current and urgent needs, please e-mail info@econautics.org or check out our website at https://econautics.org/support.
Econautics is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for our volunteers, donors, staff and partners as all people need and benefit from sustainable agriculture. We commit to using community feedback to inform our programs and measure our success.
Econautics is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law. Econautics does not discriminate on the basis of gender expression and seeks to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
View our current participation opportunities.
In-Person Volunteering
Join an Econautics Committee or Volunteer With Us!
Econautics Sustainability Institute
Organization name
Econautics
Causes
Environment & Conservation, Education - STEM, Youth & Children
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
1617 Park Place Ave #110-ECO