The Future Of Urban Farming: LA MicroFarm Grows Food with Rainwater

In this episode, you will learn about the Degnan micro-farm, which is one of 3 micro-farms that is run by Crop Swap LA and feeds families within 1 mile of this farm. They use sustainable techniques including using rainwater to grow their crops, and they reuse the water which is a 92% more efficient use of water than growing a lawn.

You will learn how they store rainwater out of plain sight as well as use the rainwater to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. You will get a full tour of the farm, and see the different styles of farming they do on this small 6,500 square foot lot.

Finally, John will interview Jamiah Hargins, founder and executive director of Crop Swap LA to learn more about his non-profit organization and how they are growing food in the inner-city for the local community in Los Angeles.

After watching this episode, you will learn how a micro-farm grows food with rainwater and distributes it to people within 1 mile.

Jump to the following parts of the Episode:
00:00 Episode Starts
00:16 Don't Grow a Lawn and Waste Water!
01:26 Degnan Microfarm - Grows food for 45 Families at a residence
03:13 The problem with Industrial Grown Food
05:25 Backyard of Farm
06:15 Where is the 5,000 Gallon Water Tank?
07:26 Do this to prevent water runoff
09:09 Using Teraponics to Grow Food to Minimize Water Loss
09:55 7 Foot Tall Vertical Teraponic Growing System
11:35 Crops being Grown in this Vertical Gardening System
13:49 Using Teraponics for growing trees
14:34 Root Boxes to Grow Root Vegetables
15:35 Okra in Standard Boxes using Teraponics
16:05 Growing Herbs on the Wall Boxes at Sildwalk
18:16 Growing Vertically
18:43 Growing the three sisters
19:06 Water Tank Feeds all the Plants
20:50 Interview with Jamiah Hargins
21:26 Why did you decide to Start Crop Swap LA / Microfarms
22:28 How did you now grow 3 microforms
23:02 How is your farm impacting the community?
23:47 Why is important to grow food for the community?
24:50 Why is it important to grow nutrient-dense food?
26:00 Tell me How you are Sold Out and have a waitlist
27:20 How will your 4th Microfarm benefit the community?
29:00 Is your model profitable? How do keep it funded?
30:20 How can people help you with your mission?
31:37 Are there any final words of wisdom you would like to share with my viewers?
32:14 How can contact CropSwap LA?

Referenced Episode:
Bele Tree - A Tree that grows year-round and provides food

Tree Collards - Perennial Vegetable that grows year-round

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Referenced Links:
Crop Swap LA YouTube

Crop Swap LA Web:

Crop Swap LA Instagram

#### Summary
A microfarm in Los Angeles is using rainwater to grow food for local consumption. This initiative is run by Crop Swap LA, a non-profit organization aiming to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce. They prioritize sustainability, using rainwater, solar power, and efficient water management to cultivate their crops.

#### Highlights
- 🌱 Microfarm in Los Angeles uses rainwater to grow food for 45 local families through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
- 🌧️ The farm catches 10,000 gallons of rainwater for irrigation, helping conserve water in a region prone to drought.
- ☀️ Solar power is used to run essential farm equipment.
- 🌽 Food is distributed locally, ensuring fresher and more nutrient-dense produce compared to store-bought options.
- 🍎 The farm also collects unwanted fruit from local neighbors, reducing food waste.
- 💰 Joining the CSA provides economical access to high-quality, organically grown produce.
- 🏫 The initiative is expanding to involve local high schools and vocational training for youth in farming practices.

[growingyourgreens]

Jump to the following parts of the Episode:
00:16 Don't Grow a Lawn and Waste Water!
01:26 Degnan Microfarm - Grows food for 45 Families at a residence
03:13 The problem with Industrial Grown Food
05:25 Backyard of Farm
06:15 Where is the 5, 000 Gallon Water Tank?
07:26 Do this to prevent water runoff
09:09 Using Teraponics to Grow Food to Minimize Water Loss
09:55 7 Foot Tall Vertical Teraponic Growing System
11:35 Crops being Grown in this Vertical Gardening System
13:49 Using Teraponics for growing trees
14:34 Root Boxes to Grow Root Vegetables
15:35 Okra in Standard Boxes using Teraponics
16:05 Growing Herbs on the Wall Boxes at Sildwalk
18:16 Growing Vertically
18:43 Growing the three sisters
19:06 Water Tank Feeds all the Plants
20:50 Interview with Jamiah Hargins
21:26 Why did you decide to Start Crop Swap LA / Microfarms
22:28 How did you now grow 3 microforms
23:02 How is your farm impacting the community?
23:47 Why is important to grow food for the community?
24:50 Why is it important to grow nutrient-dense food?
26:00 Tell me How you are Sold Out and have a waitlist
27:20 How will your 4th Microfarm benefit the community?
29:00 Is your model profitable? How do keep it funded?
30:20 How can people help you with your mission?
31:37 Are there any final words of wisdom you would like to share with my viewers?
32:14 How can contact CropSwap LA?

[pilsengirl]

I am so proud of my dear friend Jamiah. His modest beginnings working in the garden began in Chicago volunteering in a school garden in Pilsen.

[EmpressKadesh]

Really the education should be starting in elementary school. This country fights over if kids should be fed lunch or not (I was shamed my entire youth because I was a foster kid, told I didn't deserve to eat because of the choices of my parents) meanwhile every school should have a garden so the kids can learn to grow their own food.

[melissasueferrin]

Very inspirational, Wouldn't it be cool if there was one on every block?

[ryleesblooms]

We did the same thing In unincorporated Los Angeles county as well but with a focus on pesticide free flowers. 80% of all flowers sold in America travel 3000 miles covered in pesticides illegal in America. It’s not regulated, and a recent study showed florists handling flowers for 2 hours purchased from grocery stores and whole sale markets had 117+ residual pesticides all over their gloves and aprons. Think about where those flowers go? On your table next to your food. So we educate kids on beneficial insects, growing your own food and flowers. Cheers to another local urban farmer!!!

[theUrbanGardener]

Such an amazing project! An important farm for those who can’t grow their own, as we all should do!

[belindahopkins]

I am so excited to hear young people will learn gardening 😊

[davecadena]

Love the knowledge that you're sharing. Keep it up John.

[Theimpromptulife]

This is amazing! I hope every neighborhood starts doing this and forcing government to get out of the way. I’ve heard regions of Oregon are trying to take out small farms by making it almost impossible and extremely expensive to get permits to sell to public and farmers markets. So this makes me really happy to see this!!! This is what we need to have freedom for food sources.

[comicalhomestead]

I completely love what you are doing. ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊. God has blessed you to make a difference.

[honualohaheenalu]

WOW WOW WOW excellent all around system, they thought of every thing!

[djjuicedidit]

I’d love to learn how to do this in my town!

[terryulmer]

Thank you for sharing John. Sending love from Arizona. Walk in Beauty, dear!

[colleen]

Awsome!! One of my all time favorite episodes. It's so exciting to see this being done, and the potential is insane!! Thx John for all your hard work 😊

[pearlg]

What an amazing property. My first response to John's question was that I probably wouldn't put that structure in my front yard either, but It's actually strategic brilliance. It's great advertising, inspirational, and comforting to see (food security is beautiful), and it would be really beautiful to see an entire street of homes like that, especially from a space that is usually lawn that nobody uses or hangs out in.

[pascalxus]

freakin awesome! i hope every city and suburban neighborhood can get something like this!

[stevegorkowski]

Thanks John, Very few people grow here in the city and even less have 300 sq/ft like I have at my house. Here in Wisconsin I finished harvesting the last of the kale and carrots! Keep the great content coming and the great can-do attitude you offer in your videos! It keeps me looking forward to the next growing season!

[nopelindoputraperkasa]

Nice sharing Vidio...Very useful and inspiring Excellent God Bless You Greetings from a traditional Indonesian gold prospector 🇮🇩🌸🌸

[Userjo]

Jamiah is so happy with his inspirational ptoject...rightly so! I grow food in my small backyard. I just love to be in the garden.

[YourCapyFrenBigly_DPipes]

All schools should have a garden and a crop gardening program!