Urban farming plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable, resilient communities by reconnecting people to the land, promoting local food production, and reducing the environmental impact of industrial agriculture. As cities grow, innovative solutions like micro-farms offer a unique opportunity to transform underutilized spaces into productive, green areas that contribute to food security, community engagement, and ecological health. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a group of landscape architecture students has harnessed the power of design to create micro-farm design proposals that not only serve as a model for urban agriculture but also highlight the potential of transforming landscapes to support both the environment and the people who call these cities home.

LA 2002: Site Design Studio, a second-year studio project, co-taught by Fabiana Trindade da Silva, assistant professor of landscape architecture, and professional-in-residence Brian Goad, engaged 25 landscape architecture students in designing a micro-farm for the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden Museum and Gardens.

The project focused on developing a space that integrates educational opportunities with sustainable agricultural practices, including edible gardens, small-scale farming, poultry and livestock, and honey production. Students worked in teams to conduct site analysis, develop design concepts, and create site plans that balance functionality, aesthetics, and historical context.

“This project allowed students to navigate the complexities of site design while collaborating with a real client,” da Silva said. “It was exciting to see how they integrated historical landscape elements with contemporary agricultural practices to create thoughtful and innovative proposals.”

“The site design studio has really allowed our creativity to foster while developing our skills as landscape architects,” Bachelor of Landscape Architecture candidate Luka Hernandez said. “It has been a great experience, as we are given real site locations and clients for each of the projects we have done so far.”

For the Burden Micro Farm Project, students were presented with a host of different constraints and challenging program items that truly tested everyone in the class, Luka said. They were tasked with designing a space that educates users on how to grow their own food in an urban environment, such as backyards or apartment balconies.
The LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture provides opportunities for design students to collaborate with local communities in meaningful ways. A key aspect of this project was engaging with the client (LSU Burden Botanic Gardens team) not only during the briefing and final review, but also throughout the early design process, providing students with a deeper understanding of real-world collaboration, da Silva said.

“We were extremely pleased with the results of the mini-farm designs created by the LSU landscape architecture students,” said Keith Lewis from the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. “Their ability to integrate modern agricultural concepts with Steele Burden’s classic landscape style truly honored the legacy of the site. The students’ designs will help us further our mission of connecting people with agriculture, nature, and education.”

The final review was evaluated by a jury that included:
Bridget LaBorde – Director of Development, LSU AgCenter Burden Botanic Gardens
Kaylee Deynzer – Instructor of Horticulture, LSU
Albert Hammett – Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, East Baton Rouge Parishbr> Joe LeBlanc – Research Farm Specialist, LSU AgCenter Burden Botanic Gardens
Keith Lewis – Research Associate Coordinator, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

The LSU landscape architecture students’ micro farm project in Baton Rouge exemplifies how thoughtful design and community-driven solutions can transform urban spaces into sustainable, productive environments that benefit both the local ecosystem and residents.

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