Grow Dat Youth Farm is a positive force in the community: not only does the organization produce healthy food for local residents, but it also supports young adults to learn about entrepreneurship, career pathways, and the impact of social and environmental change.

Located in City Park, the farm’s overarching mission is to plant the seeds for a new generation of young leaders. Grow Dat works one-on-one with local youth to help them learn about the benefits of healthy, responsibly grown food while equipping them with professional skills. The farm operates on a seasonal basis designed to match growing seasons as well as students’ school schedules.

The Grow Dat farm stand in City Park lets you support the organization directly by purchasing their produce. (Photo via Grow Dat Youth Farm on Facebook)

How it Works

Grow Dat works with area schools to recruit students and young adults from ages 15 to 21. Once a youth joins Grow Dat, they’ll learn skills related to environmental stewardship, community service, and personal responsibility. Moreover, they’ll also grow food for the New Orleans community. Each growing season, Grow Dat produces 10,000 pounds of fresh produce! The time and effort it takes to nurture food from the ground up inherently equips Grow Dat participants with a sense of work and commitment that they can use throughout their lives, whether they choose a career in agriculture, food and beverage, or any other industry.

Help Support Grow Dat

The easiest (and most delicious) way to support Grow Dat is to purchase their produce, which is available for purchase starting Jan. 16 at two locations. You can head to their on-site farm stand in City Park or to the Crescent City Farmers Market in the Warehouse District. The farm stand is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon at 150 Zachary Taylor Drive. While you’re there, you can ask for a tour of the farm and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Crescent City Farmers Market is also open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon at 700 Magazine Street.