Las Vegas’ Historic Westside, long known as a food desert, became the first neighborhood in the city to have a community-based urban agricultural farming facility when the Urban Farm at James Gay Park opened in spring 2023.

A new local food source that is helping to tackle food insecurity for the area and encourage better food choices, the Urban Farm at James Gay Park was funded by a $500,000 donation from MGM Resorts International to The Mayor’s Fund. The gift underwrote the purchase of two climate-controlled containers that operate year-round, providing approximately 320 square feet of growing space, and producing output equivalent to nearly 3.5 acres of farmland or eight tons of produce.

With diversified crop production capability, the containers are suitable for growing lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, vining berries and vegetables, rooted vegetables and flowers – produce and products that are needed and desired by Historic Westside residents.

The city hired urban farmers who manage, plant, harvest and package the crops, and work with nonprofit partners to distribute the fresh produce at no cost to the residents. The City is also exploring the possibility of developing other vertical farming facilities that will grow crops in layers in specially controlled environments with the goal of increasing food supplies without using more land. The Urban Farms are also part of a larger master plan in James Gay Park for future community redevelopment, including additional containers, community center and fruit orchards.

Partnership Opportunities

Partnership opportunities exist to develop more vertical farming facilities that will not only provide a source of fresh produce and food in underserved areas of the city, but also to create meaningful employment opportunities; establish sustainable development programs that drive social, environmental and economic impact in underserved areas; catalyze growth; and create opportunities for local and minority-owned firms and subcontractors to take part in development projects.