Fact Sheet

Asante Microfarm by Crop Swap LA™

Crop Swap LA™ aims to grow food on unused spaces, creating sustainable green jobs and hyperlocal, nutrient-rich food. Aiming to be a model for fighting food insecurity and smart water usage, Asante Microfarm is the first of many microfarms by Crop Swap LA™.

4603 Angeles Vista Boulevard

View Park, California 90043

HIGHLIGHTS

• Water-recycling residential yard, which saves 92% of water compared to watering grass
• 600 edible plants, that can serve up to 50 families weekly
• Membership-based, hyperlocal distribution within 2 miles of the Microfarm

AGRICULTURAL FEATURES

• Regenerative methods for compost and soils
• Harvests have included: bok choy, Tuscan kale, rainbow chard, seaside spinach, tatsoi, basil, garlic chives, oregano, green oak, jericho romaine, butter lettuce, sakura red cherry tomatoes, scarlet tomatoes, thyme and radicchio lettuce
• On-site community composting
• Greenhouse for storage, seedlings and microgreens
• Portable wash station
• Mulching to cool the soil and lessen evaporation
• Two fruit trees (white sapote and hood pear)
• 2.41 lbs is the average weight of weekly produce bags

WATER USAGE AND IRRIGATION

• Uses 8% of the water previously needed to water the grass, (65 gallons vs 800 gallons per day, saving 735 gallons everyday)
• Captures rainwater
• 660 gallons of reservoir capacity
• 2 reservoirs are 5 feet deep and 7 feet wide
• 2 pumps operate three times daily

• Sprayers rotate to imitate rainfall, and have check valves to reduce leakage
• Reverse floats trigger to occasionally re-fill reservoirs, while allowing overflow during rainfall
• Independent water meter to separate and measure usage from the home residence

SUSTAINABILITY

• Plants are grown in 273 garden soxx, which are made from upcycled polypropylene and will be recycled and replaced every 2 years
• 20 EcoRain boxes that form the reservoir structure are made from recycled plastic baby bottles
• Coyote urine is the natural repellant used to deter raccoons and possums
• Connected to solar power

LANDSCAPING

• California native plants and succulents lining the perimeter help deter raccoons and possums.
• Colorful river rocks and beautiful granite

COMMUNITY

• 20 Crop Swap LA™ staff, volunteers and trainees contributed to planning and construction
• Mike Garcia and his team at Enviroscape LA led the irrigation and landscaping work, while providing learning opportunities for Trainees of Crop Swap LA™
• Homeowners earn 5% of food harvested

TIMELINE

• Crop Swap LA™ wins 2nd place in the LA2050 competition in May 2020
• Planning began in July 2020
• 4 weeks to complete the installation time in March 2021, Grand opening April 3rd, 2021

• 5 days stuffing garden soxx with soil/compost mix
• 15 days

• removing grass, excavating the land, laying irrigation, installing electricity, landscaping the edges, and planting the garden soxx