D-FW ‘agrihood’ offers farming, homes at every price

It seems like a scene out of a slower time: neighbors huddled side by side around dozens of garden beds, harvesting their own squash, lettuce and tomatoes. Children are helping gather veggies, chasing butterflies or climbing on a vintage tractor. In the distance, a greenhouse teems with produce that will soon be delivered to neighbors’ doorsteps.

If it seems picturesque, it is. And it’s not out of the past. This is life in Harvest, a master-planned community of 3,351 homes (set to be about 4,000 upon completion) in Denton County, spanning the cities of Argyle and Northlake.

Play areas for kids include this old-timey mini town, complete with playhouses styled as a general store, bank, farmhouse and jail.(Courtesy Hillwood Communities)

In addition to the agriculture-centered lifestyle, residents enjoy biking and running trails, a lake for kayaking and fishing, three pools, playgrounds and a “mini town” for kids, the Fit Barn with exercise equipment and sports courts, a dog park, and a main event center known as the Front Porch. That’s where residents can attend classes, parties and community activities — think story times, movies, concerts, bunko nights and wine tastings.

The agrihood, as it’s known (agriculture + neighborhood = agrihood), draws a mix of residents, everyone from young families to empty-nester retirees.

One of the neighborhood’s most beloved gathering spots is a two-story farmhouse built by Tennessee native John Wesley Faught and his wife, Etta, who in 1877 took a train to Fort Worth before traveling by wagon to Denton County to buy the land where Harvest now stands. They spent $6 per acre and used their remaining funds to farm crops and raise their family.

Today, the Faught farmhouse serves as a quaint and inviting coffee shop called Farmhouse Coffee & Treasures. It’s where neighbors can sip and chat while children play outside, and where baristas know patrons by name. In the fall, the coffee shop has a pumpkin patch with payment handled via an honor system.

Residents have access to raised garden beds for growing their own produce; they can also have produce grown by pros in the on-site greenhouse delivered to their doors.(Courtesy Hillwood Communities)

When developer Hillwood Communities conceptualized Harvest and broke ground in 2013 — making the community the first of its kind in the state — the company aimed to pay tribute to the Faughts and the land. Residents can subscribe to the community-supported agriculture (CSA) program and receive fresh produce, grown in greenhouse beds, delivered to their door. On picking days, residents can also harvest fresh fruit from the orchard’s trees in addition to renting a private planting bed for growing their own selections with help from the on-site farmer.

Despite the area’s proximity to major roadways — including I-35, State Highway 114 and FM 1171 — “Harvest feels incredibly rural,”adding that you can “drive Old Justin Road to see homesteads on acres, cross the railroad tracks to hop on Highway 377 for local shopping or hop on I-35W for a day in downtown Fort Worth.” A Tom Thumb grocery store is planned for the development and expected to open next year.

Another draw to the area: the schools. Harvest feeds into both Argyle ISD and Northwest ISD, with homes designed so that families can walk or bike ride to one of three in-community elementary schools. “That’s what’s really attractive to people about Harvest,” Miranda notes.

The neighborhood offers homes in a variety of sizes, styles and price points (from the low $300s to around $2 million). Six builders are currently selling on a dozen different lot sizes. There are for-rent new construction homes built for long-term lease only (with monthly rent starting at $2,646); traditional homes on lots spanning 50 to 100 feet for lock-and-leave living; two-story townhomes; and larger estate homes on up to three acres. New residents can build their own or buy a resale property.

“We have dozens of homeowners who have owned two, three or more houses within Harvest because it allowed them to own a home that met their family size, needs and lifestyle over time,” says Diana Carroll, marketing director of Hillwood Communities.

The final phase, set to finish in 2028, includes developing remaining homesites. Planning is underway.

For the majority of homes within the neighborhood, HOA dues cost an average of $2,070 annually and cover the cost of the amenities and the neighborhood’s award-winning lifestyle program that includes facilities and event planning.

Get a better sense of what it’s like to live in Harvest with these on-the-market homes.

This well-designed home offers approximately 2,040 square feet of living space and features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The primary bedroom boasts ample storage and an en-suite bathroom with double vanity sinks and a walk-in shower. The additional two bedrooms are of generous size and share a full bathroom. The open-concept living area seamlessly fows from the living room to the dining room and kitchen, providing a versatile and inviting space for entertaining. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances and ample counter space. The home's convenient location offers easy access to local amenities and an active community. This property presents an opportunity to enjoy comfortable and practical living.