Urban Agriculture Resources

Important Reports and Local History

Resources for Farmers and Gardeners

  • Join the Greater New Orleans Growers' Alliance (GNOGA) email list to learn about free growing supplies (like mulch and plant starts!), regular GNOGA meetings, and important advocacy opportunities. Email gnoga.organizers@gmail.com to get added.
  • Producers & Sustainability — SPROUT NOLA
    • Sprout NOLA offers various forms of direct support to local growers, from technical assistance to seeds to loans from their Tool Library. Click here for more information. 
  • Recirculating Farms offers frequent free gardening workshops and classes for growers across New Orleans. 
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture's Urban Service Center
  • The LSU AgCenter offers free, research-based information and educational opportunities for growers in the New Orleans area. Horticulture Agents can assist with troubleshooting on-farm systems and diagnosis of pests, diseases, and nutritional plant problems. Agents are also able to assist with soil lab test interpretation and connect producers to state specialists, grants, and other resources. Monday - Friday, 8AM - 4:30PM

    • Dr. Joe Willis- jwillis@agcenter.lsu.edu, 504-258-3392

    • Chris Dunaway- cdunaway@agcenter.lsu.edu, 504-393-7736

    • Anna Timmerman- atimmerman@agcenter.lsu.edu, 312-846-0689

  • Southern University Cooperative Extension 

    • Asha McIntyre (asha_mcintyre@suagcenter.com) - Area Agent, Urban Agriculture - Orleans Parish

  • GNOGA Resource Guide and Map - developed and maintained by GNOGA leaders, this is a map featuring a list of local farms, gardens, suppliers, plus tips for growing in Southeast Louisiana. 

  • Community Resource Map - created and maintained by Helen Sierminski of NOLA Sidewalk Gardens and Forests. 

    • Use this map to find community gardens, community fridges, compost drop-off sites, and more. 

  • Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide

    • The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC) Ethnic Vegetable Planting Guide is intended to honor the cultural traditions of such vegetables and to teach the reader how to incorporate ethnic vegetables into their garden repertoire. Some examples include hibiscus roselle, molokhia, sweet potato greens, amaranth, and many others.

  • Get Free Seeds from NOPL's Seed Libraries! Find participating library locations here: https://nolalibrary.org/location-specific-services/seed-libraries/

Guides and Resources for Urban Growers

Our Urban Agriculture Liaison, in collaboration with community partners such as Sprout NOLA and NOFPC and various city departments, has created a few user-friendly guides for growers trying to navigate city processes. You can find a few below. There are more in the works. Please reach out to urbanag@nola.gov if you have other ideas or requests.  

  • NEW! How to Get Your *Greenhouse Permitted (*or other garden structure)
    • ​Are you a New Orleans grower trying to build a greenhouse, hoopehouse, shed, or other "accessory structure"? This guide is for you! We hope it makes the process clearer and simpler. 
  • NEW! Urban Animal Husbandry Basics
    • ​The Office of Resilience & Sustainability developed this document to break down the current regulations around keeping farm animals in Orleans Parish. 
  • NEW! Farm Business Document Checklist
    • Sprout NOLA, with support from the Office of Resilience & Sustainability, developed this New Farm Business Document Checklist to support market farmers in getting in compliance with all city and state regulatory bodies. It's a step by step process to getting started as a farm business and includes some helpful programs and agencies to reach out to for additional support. 
    • These processes sometimes change. Please let us know if you run into anything inaccurate or if you have any questions by emailing urbanag@nola.gov. 
  • NEW! Water Access Guides
    • ​Frequently Asked Questions
      • Did you know you can get an "Irrigation Only" water meter? This means you only pay for irrigation, not sewerage or sanitation fees. 
      • If you're trying to get an Agricultural Water Meter (or "Irrigation Only" water meter), start here. ​
      • ​Are you a grower trying to get affordable and consistent water from Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans?
    • Water Access Guide for Gardens & Farms 
      • Check out the guide linked above for the step by step process to get water on your farm, depending on your situation. 

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