The Backyard Gardeners Network is a Lower 9th Ward based nonprofit organization whose mission is to sustain and strengthen the historically self-sufficient and deeply rooted community of the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, LA using our own food growing traditions as a platform to build community, revitalize the neighborhood and preserve our cultural heritage. We currently manage two community gardens in the Lower 9th Ward, the Laurentine Ernst Community Garden and the Guerrilla Garden. BGN’s latest project, Lower 9 Growing Strong, enlivens the Guerrilla Garden and engages the Lower 9 community with free community workshops, events and activities for all ages that promote health, close-knit community and self-reliance.