Who we are
A patchwork of plots, rooted in one neighborhood
Big Muddy Urban Farm grew out of a simple idea: that vacant city lots could become a place to learn, gather, and grow good food together. Today the farm spans several lots across the Gifford Park neighborhood of Omaha — a patchwork of garden plots and chicken coops, all within walking distance of one another.
Our foundation
What we're about
Mission, vision, and the place we call home — the roots that ground everything we grow.
What drives us
Big Muddy Urban Farm is dedicated to making sustainable agriculture education accessible to all.
Where we're headed Draft
Connected and empowered community members of all ages building an equitable and resilient community food system in Gifford Park and beyond.
Where we grow
Five garden plots and three chicken coops woven through the Gifford Park neighborhood, all within a half-mile of each other.
What we stand for
Our values
These five commitments shape every plot we plant and every neighbor we serve.
In our own words
Five garden plots and three chicken coops woven through the Gifford Park neighborhood, all within a half-mile of each other.
Most of our plots once held houses that were torn down, leaving vacant lots. We turn that community risk into a community asset — a safe place for all walks of life to learn about the food we share.
Every Tuesday morning, in partnership with the Gifford Park Neighborhood Association and Whole Foods of Omaha, we host a free food distribution for neighbors facing food insecurity.
From 2017 to 2023, our live-in Aspiring Farmer Residency trained seven cohorts of urban growers. That spirit now lives on in our education programs.
Leadership
The people behind the farm
A working executive director and a volunteer board, all rooted in Omaha.
Aaron French
Executive Director
Aaron brings nearly 15 years of leadership in urban agriculture, food systems, and community food security. With a background in both urban and rural settings, he has a passion for bringing large-scale production practices to smaller, urban environments. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska–Omaha with a concentration in nonprofit management, and previously led Urban Farm Initiatives at City Sprouts for eight years.
Board of Directors
Dennis Magnuson
President
Dan Lindsay
Treasurer
Jeff Cassler
Secretary
Angelyn Wang
Board Member
Chip Nelsen
Board Member
Courtney Wilder
Board Member
How we grew
A short history
From early community growing to a flagship education program — some dates still need the team's confirmation.
- ~2014 Big Muddy Urban Farm takes root in Gifford Park; early CSA and community growing begins. Draft
- 2017 First Aspiring Farmer Residency cohort moves in.
- 2023 Seventh and final residency cohort completes the program.
- 2025 Educating Tomorrow's Urban Farmers launches as the farm's flagship education program.
- 2026 Aaron French joins as Executive Director.
By the numbers
Fun facts & figures
Placeholders for the headline stats funders love. The team will fill these in with real season numbers.
Add a memorable stat — e.g. pounds of produce grown or shared each season.
Add a number — neighbors served at Tuesday food distribution each week.
Add a fun detail — how many laying hens live across the three coops?
Join the work
Build an equitable food system with us.
Volunteer, partner, fund, or visit — every contribution helps the harvest reach further.