The Rise of Agrihood Communities

Master plan developers are seeing increasing demand for agrihood communities. These spaces with community gardens where residents can grow their own. The trend is one of the latest in the race to provide unique amenities and create an experience in residential living communities.

“People want experiences they can share among all generations of their families. This is one reason the agrihood concept is really taking off,” Suzanne M. Maddalon VP of marketing at Freehold Communities, tells GlobeSt.com. “These are neighborhood gardens where residents grow their own healthy food. They can range from small plots eked out of unused land, to large, organized centers for the community. A successful agrihood gives residents multiple advantages: They supply their family diet with fresh produce, they learn about agricultural and organic trends, and they can enjoy meeting their neighbors in the outdoors.”

Residents aren’t the only group to see advantages from these communities. For developers, agrihoods also have benefits, particularly in creating a marketable brand. “Agrihoods provide opportunities for community branding, creating an authentic identity at the heart of the place,” says Maddalon. Freehold Communities built the Arden, a commuity in South Florida, utilizing this concept. “The new Arden community in South Florida has two full-time organic farmers dedicated to engaging residents and providing the community healthy fruits and vegetables,” adds Maddalon. “In 2019, Arden opened The Barn, a recreation center where residents gather for seasonal events and workshops on topics from organic gardening to flower arranging. The Barn includes a General Store, providing Florida-made goods that prioritize community and environmental impact.”

When developing an agrihood, developers should pay close attention to the surrounding market and utilize the existing land and crops. This is the best way to not only have a successful garden, but also to appeal to the local community and properly brand the property. “At our Palm Springs community, Miralon, research pointed to a different direction. Highlighting its local approach are expansive olive groves to be cultivated by one of the region’s most renowned olive-oil producers, Temecula Olive Company,” says Maddalon. “The former golf course at the community is being repurposed into more than 70 acres of olive trees, plus parks, trails and community gardens.”