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Growing Local: Urban and Innovative Farming in New Orleans

Marianne Cufone

Summary

The recent COVID19 crisis highlighted the importance of local food security as larger food chains struggled with demand. In New Orleans, Louisiana, where packaged and process foods are often more affordable and accessible than fresh produce, developing skilled urban farmers has proven smart; AND offers so much to our community, as well as good food. Our program has a wide range of participants, from youth through retirees, all growing together. BFRD classes over time, increase availability and affordability of local food. Our trainings also provide hands-on experience with various techniques to produce more fresh food right where it is most wanted - in urban/suburban areas. Additionally, these methods allow for growing where soil is too contaminated, paved over, or rocky, for traditional growing, and/or space is limited by intense development. Our techniques are especially useful for those with varying physical abilities, as certain systems are raised off the ground, configured vertically. Urban farms are also excellent sites for teaching STEM, connecting lessons to real world applications, and the spaces capture and repurpose rainwater, which helps manage stormwater flooding. Turning unused lots into farms/gardens brings more people outside, and encourages more human interactions, which builds community and perpetuates awareness and connection to food and growing. These as well as increasing the number of people able to grow food are continuing long-term community benefits.

Details

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