Contact: Aaron French, Executive Director, 402-990-4170, aaron@bigmuddyurbanfarm.org  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Big Muddy Urban Farms Welcomes New Executive Director, Aaron French

Omaha, NE (March 26, 2026)— Big Muddy Urban Farms welcomes Aaron French as the new Executive Director. French brings nearly 15 years of leadership in urban agriculture production, operations, and programming to the organization. French is thrilled to help deliver on Big Muddy’s mission to make sustainable agriculture education accessible to all. 

“I am excited to support the important work and mission of Big Muddy Urban Farm in the Gifford Park neighborhood and beyond. Providing access to experiential urban agriculture education and farm plots directly improves community resiliency and self-reliance, which in turn will build the foundation for a sustainable, equitable food system here in Omaha.”

As Executive Director, French is focused on expanding and improving upon Big Muddy’s programs: 

• Educating Tomorrow’s Urban Farmers teaches youth, Omaha residents, and aspiring urban farmers to grow food, establish urban farms, and navigate local market demands to cultivate the next generation of urban farmers. 
• Farming Partners provides free farm plots to our neighbors in the Gifford Park and Joslyn Castle Neighborhoods of Omaha, helping local growers to access and use Big Muddy’s available farm plots. 
• Free Food Distro Tuesday Partnership helps to alleviate food insecurity and the impact of high food prices by providing free healthy food, including fresh produce.
• Group Tours provides educational tours and volunteer opportunities that showcase our urban farms to local organizations, businesses, schools, and community nonprofits to demonstrate the impact of urban agriculture in Omaha.

Most recently, French served as the Manager of Urban Farm Initiatives at City Sprouts, where he oversaw the development of the organization’s flagship urban farm, including production, operations, and programming. He also managed the Urban Farming Internship program during his eight-year tenure, which provided in-depth urban agriculture education to high school and college-aged students. With a strong focus on building robust community partnerships, he is a strong advocate for using urban agriculture to create meaningful connections to neighbors, increase the availability of fresh produce, and as a catalyst for changing how we think about using green spaces in Omaha and beyond.

Big Muddy Urban Farm is a 501(c)3 non-profit in Omaha, Nebraska. For more information about Big Muddy Urban Farm, visit https://bigmuddyurbanfarm.org/ or contact Aaron French, 402-990-4170, aaron@bigmuddyurbanfarm.org.