IN THE GARDEN: Lettuces, carrots and greens, but begin planting warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash, too.
Land for Growing
Land is the Basis of Food Sovereignty
Getting land into the hands of community members to grow food and enjoy green space is good for residents, for our city, and for the environment!
*NOTE – the Landbank has recently undergone an internal racial equity review process and adopted changes to its disposition programs. Review the changes here.
Here are steps for acquiring vacant lots from the Landbank Authority in Louisville:
Step One: Find Owner and Research the Site
Find out whether the lot you are interested in is part of the Landbank Authority or privately owned. *If the lot is privately owned, you may reach out to the owner directly to inquire about purchasing. Some of the resources listed below can help you identify the owner. If you are unable to find the owner, or the owner is unresponsive, you may report the property to the Landbank as potentially vacant or abandoned. The Landbank may then start the process of acquiring it, after which you can apply to purchase it from them.
Contact the Office of Community Development to find out if the property you are interested in is part of the Landbank:(502) 574-4016; Landbank Real Estate Coordinators: 502-574-4200 OR Look up the address on the Interactive Property Viewer or the Mapof vacant lots.
Research the history and prior ownership of your property in the Deed Room or Online.
U of L Archives may have historic photos or maps of your property or neighborhood.
Find additional information about the parcel by typing the address into LOJIC Online.
Do a soil test through Jefferson County Cooperative Extension to evaluate nutrient and lead contents. Vouchers may be available to do this for free; otherwise, this test will cost around $10. It can take several weeks to get results.
Step Two: Community Visioning and Planning
Reach out to your neighbors to share your idea, gauge interest, get feedback, and create a network of support.
Find other community partners who may support your vision (e.g., religious institutions, neighborhood associations, or local businesses).
Imagine together what you hope to see/feel/experience in the space (e.g., invite neighbors over and walk around to let them know what you’re thinking about).
Start making some concrete plans for the space.
Step Three: Prepare Application Materials
Determine which program you are eligible for–“My New Side Yard,” “Lot On My Block” (now open to long-term renters!), “Build Back Our Blocks,” or “Grow In Your Neighborhood”–and preview everything you will need throughout the application process: Disposition Programs & Policies
The Landbank is partnering with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service on potential Urban Ag projects through the new “Grow in Your Neighborhood Program.” Interested applicants should contact the ANR Agent/County Coordinator at 502-569-2344 orpwlong@uky.edu. You are also welcome to reach out to finlouisville@gmail.com if you’d like additional support! NOTE: If you are applying to lease through this program you will need to provide the following:
Project Plan & Timeline
Budget & Proof of Funds for 3-Year Operating Costs (including: soil testing, liability insurance, staked survey completed by a licensed surveyor, water)
Step Four: Turn in an Application to Purchase or Lease Vacant Land to the Office of Community Development (if applying through Landbank)
Select the property you wish to lease or purchase through the Landbank’s Interactive Property Viewer. You will need to create a free account to apply to purchase/lease the property.
To apply for funding for the purchase of vacant land in Louisville, complete the application below and return it to finlouisville@gmail.com
FIN created this Land Access Guide to support Louisville residents who want to access vacant property to grow food. If you are interested in accessing land and want support, please email finlouisville@gmail.com.
We are happy to help you navigate the outlined process by connecting you to local resources and working with you to find answers and solutions. We look forward to learning together as we continue building a comprehensive database of community resources.
Lots of Food
Amanda Fuller purchased five contiguous vacant lots from the Land Bank in 2013 to establish Lots of Food on 1/3 acre. The Lots include an orchard of almonds & hazelnuts, berries, passion fruit, herbs, fruit trees, pollinator plantings, and 2 beehives.
Visit Lots of Food to find out about local urban fruits, nuts and honey,or to sign up for a spring or fall urban foraging class. And like the Lots of Food Facebook.
Nuts from the land
5th Element Farms
Mariel Gardner bought a vacant lot on South 26th Street in the Parkland neighborhood from the Louisville Landbank in 2018 where she started 5th Element Farms. In 2019, with a grant from the USDA, she built two high tunnels on the lot. Her initial plan was to start a pickle business with her friend, Michael. When COVID-19 hit, they pivoted towards growing food for their neighbors. They have given away about 250 pounds of produce this season.
Mariel and Michael hope to inspire their neighbors to grow their own food, creating a system in which community members divide the labor of growing so that the block can feed itself. They envision 5th Element Farm becoming an educational resource where they can host outdoor classes and model agricultural methods. Mariel and Michael plan to triple the amount they produce next year, adding medicinal herbs to their farm to promote the cognitive, emotional, and physical health of their neighbors. They also plan to buy more lots on the block in order to expand their project, perhaps to start processing on site, develop an aquaponics system (Michael’s specialty), and add additional high tunnels.
For Mariel and Michael, vacant lots are an asset, not a deficit and they are making use of these assets to feed their community.
West Louisville Women’s Collaborative (WLWC) was the recipient of the Mayor’s Lots of Possibility Grant 6 years ago–(unfortunately, this program no longer exists). With financial support from the city, WLWC transformed a previously vacant lot into a Peace Labyrinth to allow space for reflection and meditation in response to gun violence. The space doubles as a pollinator garden which supports the food growing boom happening in the West End. A board member of WLWC purchased the adjacent property as well and to create the ELA (Energy, Life, Art) House which now serves as WLWC’s headquarters and a community gathering space. WLWC is currently working to purchase the lot between the Labyrinth and the ELA house. They would also like to purchase the home next door to the Labyrinth in order to start an Artist in Residence program.
