A Central City Paradigm... With Goats!

I was charmed when P&P asked me to cover a feature on Paradigm Gardens as I live adjacent to it, and have since the business started growing, here in New Orleans’ Central City neighborhood. My balcony has a perfect view right over their fence into the belly of the garden, which makes for lovely evenings when they host strings by candlelight or a boisterous wedding and their DJ. In the quiet of summer, I can hear the baby goats “bahh”-ing for food or attention during the day, while at night I can hear their frogs croaking until I drift off to sleep. Paradigm Gardens brings an element of nature to a wildly urban area that gives the block a harmonious balance.

For those unfamiliar with these hidden grounds, here is a little history: In 2015, Joel Hitchcock-Tilton and Jimmy Seely opened Paradigm Garden’s gates, located at 1131 South Rampart St. between Calliope and Clio Street. In 2005, Tilton moved to New Orleans to attend college at Xavier University of Louisiana. While at Xavier, Tilton was inspired by his volunteer work at the Gathering Tree Community Garden to convert the vacant lots next to his house into his own community garden. In 2010, his friend Jimmy Seely followed suit in moving down south to join Tilton. In contrast to Tilton’s first exposure to gardening, Seely had a family history of farming back in Wisconsin but was interested in doing something different. Tilton had begun teaching after college, and Seely was working as a line cook at Patois when the two got serious about committing to create “an ecologically and financially sustainable urban farming project.” From there, they joined forces to carve out their own niche in the center of New Orleans. They began simply, growing fresh produce, tending bees, and herding goats for several local restaurants. They also hosted a series of small dining events with live music to generate subsidiary income.

A lot has changed in the last seven years, and now PG is run solely by Tilton and has grown exponentially. “We [now] supply ANCORA, The Daily Beet, Coquette, Turkey & the Wolf, Pomelo, Lufu, Johnny’s Jamaican Grill, and Queen Trini Lisa,” said Tilton. Since PG is not a non-profit, it is able to source and supply restaurants in the city as a small business while simultaneously existing as a standalone venue. In fact, a large part of PG’s growing financial success comes from the event side of the garden and its location. In the cooler months of fall and spring, their calendar is often filled with ticketed events, as well as weddings and private parties.

One major event PG has become notorious for is Goat Yoga, which Tilton described as “the most fun, unique, CUTE Yoga class in New Orleans. Amongst the flowers, veggies, and the adorable Cameroonian pygmy goats … come to Paradigm Gardens to do a real sun salutation and downward goat.” Tilton’s mother originally came up with the idea when PG first opened. “The goats walk around in between the yogis and visit their mats. Sometimes they jump on people’s backs, [and] yogis can pet them … we also go around with the goats so people can hold them and to place them on people’s backs,” he continued. For those trying to get a healthy, physical, and social activity into their day, while also playing with goats, this sounds like a dream.

The beyond-adorable goats come from a farm in Pontchatoula. Tilton expanded on the goat presence at PG: “We started with two [from Wisconsin].… The number fluctuates but [is] anywhere between four and eight. Their ages are between eight months and four years. The names of the ones we have now are Frankie, Fats, Domino, Butterscotch, Cookie, Chocolate, [and] Chip.” When I asked him what it was like caring for so many goat babes, he said that “they are very chill animals, especially the ones we bottle feed from birth. Pretty easy and low-maintenance. It’s also great to get fresh milk!”

PG partnered with yoga teacher Jimena Urritia (who also owns and runs EmpaNola restaurant) “to provide the best hour-long goat yoga experience around.” The event also includes a light breakfast, a souvenir PG hat and drinking glass, and a windowsill garden kit. Tickets start at $50 (plus taxes/fees). You can upgrade your ticket to $70 for extra time after the class to hold the goats and have professional photographs taken, which are then sent directly to you. The next goat yoga sessions are on Sept. 24 and Nov. 13, 2022.

Goat yoga is the best way to have a hands-on-hoof experience with the goats at PG, as Tilton doesn’t have the staff to be open to the public on a regular basis. “The amount of requests we get [to meet the goats] is paralyzing,” Tilton shared. He explained that being at PG everyday gardening, taking care of the animals, and getting produce ready for supply orders doesn’t allow him time for much else.

PG has also had the pleasure of housing chickens, pigeons, and Guinea hens. In fact, I remember moving into my home in 2015 and having coffee every morning on the balcony. Most mornings I would hear squeaking squabbles increasing in volume. I would then look down Clio Street and see a confusion of Guinea fowl, rapidly inching down the sidewalk. Yes, a group of Guinea fowl is called a “confusion,” which we both were at the time. When I would peek my head over the side and see them congregated in the driveway of my building’s parking lot, they would spot me and hush, then stumble and fumble their way back to the Paradigm. It was a welcomed amusement each day.

Individuals curious about buying veggies and produce directly from PG, please note: they only have produce for sale to the public when hosting their Market Brunch events, which are free and open to the public. For a full look into their calendar and more information, check out www.ParadigmGardensNola.com