Urban Farming in New Orleans, Louisiana Challenges: Zoning, Policy, Insurance, Legislation and Other Resolutions Marianne Cufone, Esq. Executive Director, Recirculating Farms Coalition, Growing Local NOLA

National non-profit organization, HQ in NOLA National non-profit organization, HQ in NOLA Primary mission to use “recirculating farms” to address problems with food quality, availability, affordability and logical impacts of production in U.S.= hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics. Primary mission to use “recirculating farms” to address problems with food quality, availability, affordability and logical impacts of production in U.S.= hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics. Started in January 2009 – grew into an independent organization in th year anniversary in June! Started in January 2009 – grew into an independent organization in th year anniversary in June! Working with thousands of farmers, fishermen, foodies, scientists, educators, conservationist, concerned people. Working with thousands of farmers, fishermen, foodies, scientists, educators, conservationist, concerned people.

Local, state and national law/policy City Councils State legislatures U.S. Congress Various agencies (USDA, FDA EPA etc)

An RFC run community garden that hosts a wide range of free classes – cooking, exercise, gardening and professional urban farming. An RFC run community garden that hosts a wide range of free classes – cooking, exercise, gardening and professional urban farming. Host community raised garden beds so members can grow their own food with help from our on site experienced growers. Water, soil, seeds are all free, we ask for 12 hours volunteer time monthly Host community raised garden beds so members can grow their own food with help from our on site experienced growers. Water, soil, seeds are all free, we ask for 12 hours volunteer time monthly We have a mini community supported agriculture program (CSA), just $15 per week, and members receive an overflowing basket of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and specialty items. We have a mini community supported agriculture program (CSA), just $15 per week, and members receive an overflowing basket of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and specialty items. Sell direct to small neighborhood restaurants Sell direct to small neighborhood restaurants

What We Do Inspire healthy lifestyles “Grow the growers” to provide more fresh, healthy, affordable, accessible food Create edible green spaces Increase access to healthy fresh food, provide green space, create jobs, promote community.

Siting Challenges Land Access/Affordability Land Access/Affordability Proximity to people/transportation Proximity to people/transportation Parking Parking Bathrooms Bathrooms Zoning Zoning

Permits Selling products Selling products Selling value added (“cottage food”) Selling value added (“cottage food”) Selling plants Selling plants Building Building Electrical Electrical Occupancy Occupancy

Insurance Challenges Premises liability Premises liability Professional liability Professional liability Products Products Workers Comp Workers Comp Medical/dental Medical/dental

LA State Legislation Urban Farm Incentives bill helps with land access and affordability Urban Farm Incentives bill helps with land access and affordability Farm to school bill – 2015 – helps with access to larger markets Farm to school bill – 2015 – helps with access to larger markets Cottage Food Law – 2014 – allows for “value added” product sale created in a home kitchen (baked goods, candies, jams, pickles, dried mixes etc.) Cottage Food Law – 2014 – allows for “value added” product sale created in a home kitchen (baked goods, candies, jams, pickles, dried mixes etc.) State agrotourism law – protects against liability. Very specific. State agrotourism law – protects against liability. Very specific.

NOLA Ordinances Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance – 2015 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance – 2015 Where urban farming is allowed Where urban farming is allowed Bees, chickens (no roosters), other animals Bees, chickens (no roosters), other animals Where can sell produce Where can sell produce Mobile vending permits – 2013 Mobile vending permits – 2013 Fresh fruit and vegetables Fresh fruit and vegetables Seafood Seafood

Contact Info Marianne Cufone Phone: Mailing address: 5208 Magazine St, #191, New Orleans, LA Farm address: 1750 Robert C. Blakes Sr. Dr. (Carondelet St) between Felicity and Polymnia in Central City (behind Houston’s Restaurant at 1755 St Charles) Facebook: ulatingFarmsCoalition