About us

MISSION

The mission of Water Boy Farms is to grow organic vegetables and flowers for our restaurants and hotel while learning to be stewards of the land. We use regenerative practices that give back to the ground that has given us so much. the lessons we learn through farming are shared with our community through our businesses and the work of our nonprofit.

HISTORY

Water Boy Farms was developed in 2014 by Rick Wells at his home as an extension of Harvest Seasonal Kitchen to establish connections for how and where our food is grown.

waterboy(noun): someone who works in the field, serves others.

Water Boy Farms was named after the waterboy.  Rick’s father was a State Champion Football coach in Colorado who returned to coach in his hometown of Antlers, Oklahoma and believed the waterboy is just as important as the star quarterback and exemplifies servitude.

Water Boy is worked by our employees within our company and allows seasonal growth and organic farming practices. Over time we have developed Water Boy Farms to provide microgreens, honey, seasonal produce, and flowers for our restaurants. All eligible kitchen waste is taken to the farm and composed for the garden.

We continue to prosper from our farm not only organic produce but also in education to be better stewards of the land. What we learn from the farm allows us to give back through education and connection with our community.

RICK WELLS

After growing up in the family steakhouse business, Rick earned a degree in business administration from Southeastern State University. Rick has over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is the owner of Wells Group McKinney, which co-owns Rick’s Chophouse and Harvest Seasonal Kitchen in Historic Downtown McKinney. Rick has a rich past in philanthropy including serving as the President of the Samaritan Inn and President of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. In 2018, he was awarded two inaugural awards, the Cornerstone Ranch LaFerney Community Hero award and the Cultivating Land and Community Award from Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. In 2019, Rick was honored as Distinguished Alumnus of Southeastern State University.