In 2008, NOLA Green Roots (NGR) set out to develop our own unique blueprint for building sustainable community gardens. We studied several models of community gardens and incorporated the best elements found to formulate our own pan. Then, in 2009, with the help of volunteers, NGR developed it’s first community garden – Mid City Community Garden.
Over the next three years, NGR developed several more community gardens throughout the City of New Orleans. Wise Words Community Gardens was one of the largest with over 20 raised beds, an outdoor seating area which included a gazebo, chicken coop, a cooking deck, and a compost training area.
In 2011, NGR developed Our Kids’ Village, a community garden designed for kids in pre-school to 5th grade. Our Kids’ Village provided fun learning activities for kids while teaching them how to plant properly, raise farm animals including worms and insects. Our Kids’ Village encouraged parental involvement in every phase of our program.
Today, NOLA Green Roots maintains a small garden at our headquarters that is used primarily to train New Orleans residents on how to grow fruits and vegetables sustainably.