Land & Equity

SPROUT’s Land & Equity programming seeks to correct historic racial injustices in land access and ownership by redistributing resources, moving resources quickly to our frontline communities, and pushing for progressive policies that reduce barriers and create new equitable opportunities.

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Land & Equity Programs

 

land access, loans, & Grants

Farming is complex, and there are even more barriers in the Deep South, especially to Black farmers, Indigenous farmers, Farmers of Color, and women. SPROUT serves as a sort of Small Business Administration for farm operations, connecting new and beginning farmers to critical resources that can be confusing and overwhelming to navigate alone. We provide land support, lease negotiation, and office hours to discuss the next steps for farm businesses. 

Farmer networking

Farming can be lonely. A core part of SPROUT’s work is making connections for farmers to grow better together. Whether that’s a one-on-one introductions, our apprenticeship program, or a cohort, we believe that community connection is a core part of our work. To read more about two of these networks–Collaborative Regional Alliance of Farmer Trainings (CRAFT) and Greater New Orleans Growers Alliance (GNOGA), see our Producers & Sustainability Program Page.

reparations

In the first regional effort of its kind, SPROUT is distributing reparations to Black and Indigenous-led land projects in the state. In partnership with the Verbena Group, we convened a cohort of land stewards to build relationships, share their land visions, and determine a process for identifying sites to receive financial support. By creating a self-determined project to distribute reparations resources, SPROUT is building a structure for ongoing reparations work centered in Louisiana and driven by land stewards themselves. To donate to our reparations fund, visit here.

Federal policy

Federal agricultural policy has played a major role in creating the unjust and unsustainable food system we have in the United States today. This needs to change. SPROUT is working to organize small-scale producers in the state to have a voice in federal level policy. We partner with the New Orleans Food Policy Action Council and our partners around the state to organize and build power amongst Louisiana producers. We want to be able to demand transformative federal agriculture policy and have our legislators listen. Our efforts revolve around developing resources to educate producers about what federal agricultural policy is and how to influence it, building a state-level network of producers and organizations to engage in policy work, supporting other Gulf Coast state organizing efforts, facilitating organizing and strategic visioning, and developing structures for long-term organizing amongst producers. Access our public folder of resources about the 2023 Farm Bill.

 

Land & Equity Program Impacts

“Volunteering at Sprout's garden connects me to the community, other gardeners, the freshest produce possible, and gives me a respite from an overly digital life. Over time, it's provided me a space to grow my own nutritious food that as a renter, I did not have. I look forward to every Thursday afternoon when I can see my friends, get to know more people, and see the garden in all its fullness.” - Cristina, community gardener