Marianne Cufone, an environmental attorney and professional chef, served as director for the fish and oceans program at Food and Water Watch from 2007 to 2011. During this time, one topic kept coming up on the federal level: offshore finfish farming. Although some individuals and organizations promoted the idea of fish farming off US coasts, many fishers, chefs, and conservationists were not in favor, likening it to factory farming.
As many groups challenged the move, they also looked for alternative forms of seafood production that would not conflict with established local fishing communities. The Recirculating Farms organization formed to address this need, combining thoughtful, community-based agriculture with aquaculture, growing both plants and fish in a land-based farm.
A form of alternative agriculture, a recirculating farm is typically a type of aquaponics system that raises both fish and plants together. There are many ways to set up a recirculating farm, but the main idea is to recycle water, which means these farms can operate in a variety of spaces.
“Part of what we do is to honor historic agricultural practices with a modern twist in an urban area,” said Cufone. Although the organization has expanded to include a wide range of agricultural methods to maintain sites in an eco-efficient way, they do continue to use aquaponics as well.
In addition to the organization’s produce, which is grown without synthetic substances, Recirculating Farms also offers compost programs as well. The “reduce-reuse-recycle” idea definitely informs their practices.
As Cufone is quick to point out, developing a cooperative, collaborative network of people and other organizations has been crucial to Recirculating Farms’ success. They have worked with Top Box Foods, the New Orleans Food Policy Action Council, Liberty’s Kitchen, Market Umbrella, and a variety of others. In addition, service-learning programs at Xavier, Tulane, and Loyola Universities invite students to collaborate with Recirculating Farms and support their work.
Initially, the Recirculating Farms team wanted to launch in a community where there was a need and a want for more local food production. They researched many communities and eventually settled on New Orleans as the site for its headquarters. Cufone, who has lived in the city, felt a connection thanks to her history with the local fishing and foodie communities.
Despite its well-earned reputation as one of the best cities for culinary exploration, New Orleans is also home to a number of food deserts, or areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food options. The Recirculating Farms team is working to expand the availability of fresh, quality food to all New Orleanians.
Responding to feedback from community members has been a big part of the organization’s success as well. Thanks to community input, Recirculating Farms offers useful classes on canning and jarring, as well as professional farmer training. They even host bees and harvest local honey.
Recirculating Farms also offers a variety of community programs, events, and classes through their outreach programs. Growing Local NOLA, the organization’s farm sites, have a handful of spaces in Central City to teach classes, one in partnership with the Dryades YMCA and another with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA). These spaces offer community food outside the fence line, in addition to a community refrigerator that provides free food to anyone.
The team also hosts a variety of free classes on gardening, as well as a series of yoga and fitness courses. Community members can also learn about selling their own food.
Meanwhile, the Growing Local on the Geaux program offers these same services – access to fresh produce, community classes, and similar outreach – in additional spaces around New Orleans. The unique mobile program can visit other locations throughout the city, such as Luke’s House, to provide their health and wellness services to even more people.
Those interested in learning more about Recirculating Farms are welcome to visit the organization’s website. From there, join the mailing list to receive a regular newsletter that covers events and opportunities related to food and farming around New Orleans.
Recirculating Farms also has regular volunteer hours, and donations are welcome as well.
Lastly, the Recirculating Farms team invites more participation in their programs. Join in the free classes, utilize their many resources, and spend time at their events.
“We’re here to support our community,” said Cufone. “We love to hear from people about what they’d like to see.” Reach out if you have a great idea to help contribute to the program.
recirculatingfarms.org, facebook.com/recirculatingfarmscoalition, instagram.com/recircfarms
