The Aquarium of the Pacific announced this week that the November First Wednesday lecture will present an engaging discussion with Jamiah Hargins, founder of Crop Swap LA, to explore the human food ecosystem within an urban setting.
Higgins is expected to discuss the role that unused spaces and community lawns play in nourishing local families in areas where up to 20,000 individuals may reside within a single square mile.
A former recruiter and market trader, Jamiah brings global experience and systems thinking to urban agriculture and food justice. His work has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council and Adidas and featured in major media outlets.
Fluent in three languages and deeply rooted in community, he speaks on regenerative design, Black liberation, and cooperative economics. Jamiah is a devoted husband, father and martial artist.
He has a Master of Public Administration, Economic and Political Development from Columbia University and bachelor’s degree in political science and government from University of Chicago.
Discover the innovative operational model, business design, and unique landscape technology employed to sustain their pioneering efforts, which Higgins is expected to discuss.Crop Swap LA is a distinguished organization that cultivates food in unused areas and converts lawns into microfarms powered by rainwater, providing fresh produce to families in the community.
Established in 2018, it has evolved from a modest monthly neighborhood exchange of fruits and vegetables into a globally acknowledged institution and movement. The organization advocates for the local growth and consumption of food to minimize dependence of inefficient, water-intensive, and carbon-heavy global supply chains.
This presentation with Q&A will take place in the Aquarium’s Honda Pacific Visions Theater. Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with music, crafts, Paint-a-Fish and cash bar available in the Pacific Visions Art Gallery. This program will be live streamed for those who are unable to join in person.
The event will be held from 7 – 9 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 5, at the Honda Visions Center at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
The cost of the event is $5 for tickets that are reserved in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of the event cost $10, the Aquarium said, and are strictly dependent on event availability. Parking in the nearby structure is $6.50 for the first 2.5 hours.
For livestream or other information, visit the aquariumofpacific.org website.