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As grocery stores prices continue to rise, Limert Park’s “micro farms” prove that growing your own food may help you win inflation and become healthier.
Jamiah Hargins launched Degnan Microfarm several years ago on the corner of Degnan Boulevard and Coliseum Street, hoping to encourage families and communities to eat healthy, fresh organic foods. But instead of placing the farm in a community garden or other open space, he chose a much closer location: his front yard.
“We’re here at my home! Degnan Micro Farm in Raymart Park,” Hargins said. “When we saw this house and in the big front yard, we decided this was the perfect place for our headquarters to land.”
Hargins founded Crop Swap LA, a nonprofit organization that has set up other small farms in South Los Angeles in homes, schools and churches.
Originally from New Mexico, Hargins is uplifting his adoptive home in Raymart Park.
“Even if you can use money to pay, even if you can use it for grocery stores or pay, the nutritional value of that food has been significantly reduced,” he explained. “So we’re trying to live as an example, not just providing and fixing the problem.”
As produce prices fluctuate amidst a rapid rapids of different supply chain factors, Hargins can keep prices low by growing foods such as beets, strawberries, basil, apples, carrots and tomatoes using almost every inch of the front and backyard.
Each week, around 80 families receive fresh produce delivered to their doors for a monthly fee of $80. The general public can shop here every Monday as well.
“Taxes, politics, distribution channels, all of which are out of our hands,” Hargis said. “So we have to really regain our strength and show that if we want healthy beets, healthy carrots, healthy fruits, healthy vegetables, we want to be environmentally safe here.
All the food he grows is organic, using rainwater to store it under his property, and pumps and other equipment grow using solar panels.
Currently, with more than 12 employees, Crop Swap LA can help you install or consult with projects for people interested in creating similar microfarm setups, even their own properties.
It also comes with tax incentives.
“Homeowners have many advantages. Number one, the space they allow us to grow can be amortized with property tax. Number two, the water used for property can grow food,” he explained. “Third, we operate as a nonprofit, so any food we export to distribute from real estate can be amortized.”
For Hargins, supporting his community while serving his family is all a dream.
“This purpose chose me when my first daughter was born, and my second daughter is here too,” he told us. “She wakes up in this life. Like having all this around her. I want that to be their expectations.”
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