FIU Mini Farm & Learning Lab
The FIU Mini Farm is an upcoming demonstration project showcasing regenerative, neighborhood-scale farming in an academic setting. Launching in Spring 2026 at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus, the Mini Farm will operate as a professionally managed, market-garden-style site that produces fresh, nutrient-dense food while serving as a hands-on learning environment for students and the surrounding community.
Our Gardens
Neighborhood Farms USA owns and operates these gardens for the good of the community.
A Living Classroom
Designed as a real-world learning lab, the Mini Farm will provide experiential education in regenerative agriculture, from planting and harvesting to soil care, irrigation, and post-harvest handling.
Through workshops, volunteer days, and course-based learning, students will connect theory to practice, with direct ties to FIU’s Environmental Studies and Hospitality School and Culinary Program, linking food production to preparation, nutrition, and service.
The Farm Model
The site will feature a compact 50’ × 50’ intensive growing layout optimized for efficiency, high yields, and year-round production. Crops will be selected for fast harvest cycles, high nutritional value, and success in South Florida’s climate, supported by on-site infrastructure that meets professional and food-safety standards.
Food, Community & Opportunity
Food grown at the Mini Farm will be donated to FIU’s food pantry and local nonprofit food distributors, increasing access to fresh produce for students and the broader community. On select occasions, harvests will also be used by FIU’s Culinary Program, reinforcing the connection between local food production and hospitality education. The farm will be managed by a graduate of the Neighborhood Farms USA Farmer Training Program, creating a direct pathway from education to paid leadership and professional experience.
Why Biscayne Bay
FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, with its emphasis on hospitality, culinary arts, and experiential learning offers a natural home for this initiative. The Mini Farm will advance campus sustainability goals while strengthening the relationship between food production, education, and community well-being.