Sustainability
Reducing water consumption
How much water did that salad bowl consume?
*Actual water consumption varies per farm.
Stormwater management
Stormwater is a large economic and social issue in New Orleans. Stormwater pumps are the largest energy consumers in the city. Our systems mitigate this rainwater runoff.
Addressing Dead Zones
Closed loop hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic solutions are viable alternatives to farming methods that release large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus into our groundwater system.
Closed Loop Aquaponics |
Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico |
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 Every year farms along the Mississippi River release billions of gallons of nutrient runoff. This creates a "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. The gulf region of the United States has one of the largest "dead-zones" in the world. The implementation of closed loop farming systems provide an alternative to traditional farming that will maintain a healthy gulf, which is important for preventing wetland loss and for protection from storm surge, while also preserving the seafood industry that helps to fuel the economy and cultural identity in the region. |
 Resources: Despite promises to fix it, the Gulf's dead zone is growing,The Times-Picayune Differences in Phosphorus and Nitrogen Delivery to The Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River Basin, American Chemical Society Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Dept. of the Interior |
Soil contamination in New Orleans
For urban farmers, lead poisoning makes fresh produce grown in contaminated soil inedible. New Orleans, unfortunately has one the of the highest levels of lead poisoning in the country. This makes soil-less farming a viable alternative for encouraging a resiliant and healthy city. Currently urban farmers in New Orleans must constantly ship fresh soil or fertilizer in from other places and build raised or elevated beds to avoid contamination.
Dangerous lead levels found in nearly two-thirds of New Orleans homes, Tulane study says
Additional contamination due to Industrial Agriculture
Soil is one of the most important natural resources. Current industrial agricultural practices damage and deplete soil while contaminating the environment with pesticides and fertilizers that erode the soil, all three factors lead to pollution of our environment.
Efficient use of fertilzer
Inefficient use of nutrient fertilizers contribute greenhouse gas emissions. Fertilizer accounts for 5.34% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Our solutions use nutrients efficiently.
Produce travels 0-5 miles before reaching its consumers
Most produce must travel over 1000 miles before reaching its final consumers. "Local" produce travels on average 65 miles to the New Orleans region, while it may travel as many 150. Mass produced and shipped produce classified as "organic" is declining in favor of "sustainable agriculture" methods. We cultivate, harvest, process, and supply fresh produce, thus avoiding the need for long distance shipping and unnecessary intermediaries.
