Success StoryIroquois Farm Soil Contamination Remediation Program



Iroquois Farm Soil Contamination Remediation Program

Author: Phillip Long

Planning Unit: Jefferson County CES

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Plan of Work: Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forestry

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Iroquois Farm is situated on an 8 acre Louisville Metro Housing Authority demolition site owned by the city of Louisville. After the Louisville Metro Housing Authority had the buildings removed, the contractor brought in soil to level out the site for some future use and submitted soil sample test results. Soil test results indicated high levels of Arsenic and Lead. The Food Literacy Program contacted The Housing Authority to discussing leasing the land for vegetable farming. An agreement was reached and the site was divided into 6 plots for rotational production. Staff of the Food Literacy Program reached out to the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service for guidance in soil improvement and soil sampling as confirmation of the original test results and how to make the soil safe for vegetable production. 


Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture Agent took soils samples as a comparison and results were similar. Mediation options were consider in order to minimize risk for Arsenic and Lead ingestion. Options included increase the organic matter, maintain the correct pH, and use leafy plants instead of root plants and to monitor the soil levels for Arsenic and Lead annually. Additionally, sample plant tissue for uptake levels of Arsenic and Lead


Six growers from the community using the plots for food production were made aware of the heavy metal situation and the plan to minimize risk in order proceed with vegetable production. 


The Food Literacy Project staff joined The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service and University of Kentucky’s Bioenvironmental Engineer for assistance in the sites excessive water issue offering drain tile and surface water options. 


The use of the 8 acre site could continue with its original plan to grow and sell vegetables. The monitoring program outline by the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture Agent will indicate changing levels of heavy metals, nutrient availability and pH for safely growing vegetables. 






Stories by Phillip Long


Iroquois Farm Soil Contamination Remediation Program

about 5 years ago by Phillip Long

Iroquois Farm is situated on an 8 acre Louisville Metro Housing Authority demolition site owned by t... Read More


The Louisville Zoo Toxic Plant Survey

about 5 years ago by Phillip Long

The Louisville Zoo is comprised of 134 acres situated in the citys Poplar Level neighborhood. The Zo... Read More


Stories by Jefferson County CES


Preserving Produce and Health in Jefferson County

Preserving Produce and Health in Jefferson County

about 5 years ago by Caroline Durr

A 2018 report from the Community Foundation of Louisville and the Lift a Life Foundation, found that... Read More


Americana Blossoms!

Americana Blossoms!

about 5 years ago by Patrice Thompson

Americana Blossoms! Last year, while working with an environmental science club: “the green team”. ... Read More


Stories by Local Food Systems


Hickman County Farm to Fork Event

Hickman County Farm to Fork Event

about 5 years ago by Mattea Mitchell

Hickman County Cooperative Extension Service and the Rotary Park Committee co-hosted the second Kent... Read More


Winter School

Winter School

about 5 years ago by Matthew Chadwick

Winter SchoolAlong with the Marshall and Graves County Extension Offices, we hosted the first ever W... Read More