California is known for its sunny weather and lush landscapes, but one man in Los Angeles is changing the game by transforming front yards into small farms. Jamiah Hargins, a former options trader and headhunter, is the mastermind behind Crop Swap LA, a charity that aims to provide fresh, organic produce to families in need.
Hargins’ journey into urban farming began in 2018 when he decided to grow his own food for his newborn daughter. With little experience but a lot of determination, he set out to turn his front yard into a thriving microfarm. What started as a small experiment quickly grew into a full-fledged project, with Hargins now running Crop Swap LA full-time with a team of 13.
The impact of Crop Swap LA is undeniable. Hargins’ tiny 2,500-square-foot farm provides fresh produce to 45 nearby families, using only a fraction of the water that a traditional lawn would require. In addition, the charity has three front yard microfarms that serve 80 people within a mile of each other. The success of Crop Swap LA has led to a waiting list of 300 people eager to turn their yards into microfarms.
But Hargins’ work doesn’t stop at providing fresh food. He is also committed to creating a sustainable model that benefits both the environment and the community. By using solar panels to power the farm and implementing a 35-pump watering system, Hargins has significantly reduced the water usage of his microfarm. In fact, he claims that his farm uses 98% less water than a traditional lawn, costing only $45 a month in water bills.
The innovative approach of Crop Swap LA has captured the attention of many, including Mychal Creer, a teacher who wanted to transform his grassy front yard into a productive garden. With the help of Hargins and a $50,000 grant from LA2050, Creer was able to create a sustainable, solar-powered farm in his front yard. The Asante farm, as it’s called, now serves as a green oasis in the heart of the city, attracting both curious passersby and beneficial wildlife.
As word of Crop Swap LA spreads, more and more people are joining the movement to grow their own food. Beverly Lofton, a retiree in the neighborhood, was inspired to replace her backyard plants with a small food garden after seeing the success of Hargins’ microfarm. She enlisted the help of Crop Swap LA to transform her front yard into a thriving food garden, named LaSalle after her late husband. The farm now provides food for 15 people and has become a gathering place for the community.
Despite the success of Crop Swap LA, securing funding remains a challenge for Hargins. The charity relies on grants, gifts, and produce subscriptions to sustain its operations, with Hargins selling a coloring book titled “Captain Plant It” to generate additional income. While the financial burden of running a non-profit can be daunting, Hargins remains committed to his mission of providing fresh, organic produce to those in need.
The impact of Crop Swap LA goes beyond just providing food. The charity has become a symbol of community empowerment and environmental stewardship, demonstrating that small changes can have a big impact. As more people embrace the idea of growing food instead of lawns, the future of urban farming in California looks brighter than ever.
