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.