Doug Jacobs moved to New Orleans from Colorado to attend Tulane University, and the people and sense of community there made an impact on him. Also, the need for affordable, fresh food was so apparent, it prompted him to start planning creation of recirculating farm projects around the city. With business development support from Tulane’s Office of Social Entrepreneurship and the Idea Village, Doug and co-founder Kevin Morgan-Rothschild created AMPS – Aquaponic Modular Production Systems – an urban agriculture development company.
Now, with support from the Recirculating Farms Coalition and the New Orleans Food and Farm Network, AMPS is designing and building new urban recirculating systems for various community and commercial entities in New Orleans. Hollygrove Farm and Market just debuted the first ever “aeroponic” garden – a series of hydroponic towers that will provide about 40 pounds of greens weekly, (see photos here) and AMPS is planning to build an aquaponic farm behind the Food-Co-op in the 9th Ward to grow plants and fish together in one system. 
The recirculating farming movement is growing throughout Louisiana, with established farms existing in Lafayette, Ponchatoula and the Northshore. Now it’s caught on in the city of New Orleans too, and more projects are planned for a number of locations – like downtown. Some of the new farms will host growing workshops for farmers, cooking classes for true farm to table cuisine and more. Check back with us here for updates as these farms and programs grow!