The Pathway to Successful Cities
A successful city is built on a shared vision guided by the community, where leaders transparently measure progress, make informed decisions based on data, and collaborate with organizations and residents to achieve common goals. Access to healthy, locally produced food is a vital component of this vision and serves as an important indicator of a community’s long-term sustainability, resilience, and quality of life.

About LCUAS

The Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture & Sustainability (LCUAS) is a local nonprofit government corporation dedicated to improving access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown food through education, community engagement, and sustainable agriculture practices. Founded in 2018, LCUAS works to address food insecurity and strengthen local food systems by empowering individuals and families with the knowledge and resources needed to grow their own food, support environmental stewardship, and build a healthier community.

Our Story

The roots of the Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture & Sustainability (LCUAS) can be traced back to 2017, when the citizens of Laredo identified access to healthy food and community wellness as priorities through the City of Laredo Comprehensive Plan. This community-driven vision highlighted the importance of building a healthier, more sustainable future for all residents.

Inspired by this vision, local advocates, community leaders, and food policy champions came together in 2018 to establish LCUAS. Their goal was to create an organization dedicated to expanding access to fresh, locally grown food while promoting education, sustainability, and community engagement through urban agriculture.

As momentum grew, the Laredo Food Policy Council was formed in 2021, bringing together local, regional, and state partners to collaborate on food system challenges and opportunities. Through shared learning and collective action, the council worked to develop strategies that would strengthen food access, public health, and economic development across the community.

These efforts culminated in the adoption of the Laredo Healthy Food System Plan in 2023; a roadmap for creating a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable local food system. Today, LCUAS continues to play a leading role in advancing that vision through educational programs, community gardens, demonstration projects, policy initiatives, and partnerships that empower residents to grow, learn, and thrive.

Our Mission

LCUAS works to cultivate a healthy, sustainable, and thriving local food system by increasing access to fresh, locally grown food, providing urban agriculture education, supporting community and home gardening, and creating opportunities that strengthen the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the Laredo community.

Our Vision

We envision a Laredo where every resident has access to healthy food, vibrant green spaces, and opportunities to participate in a sustainable local food system. Through community collaboration, education, and innovation, we strive to build a healthier, more resilient city where food serves as a foundation for economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

What We Do

Demonstration Farm

Providing a hands-on environment where visitors can learn about agriculture, grow healthy food, explore sustainability, and experience the benefits of nature.

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Urban Educational Workshops

Providing hands-on learning opportunities in gardening, urban agriculture, sustainability, nutrition, and food systems.

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Community Engagement & Partnerships

Collaborating with schools, nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, and community members to strengthen local food access and awareness.

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Food Systems & Sustainability

Supporting initiatives that promote food security, environmental stewardship, local agriculture, and a healthier future for Laredo.

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Meet the Team

Meet the dedicated individuals behind LCUAS who are working to cultivate a more sustainable, healthy, and connected community through urban agriculture, education, and environmental stewardship.

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Executive Director

Jose Garcia, MBA

Mr. Garcia serves as the Executive Director of the Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture & Sustainability (LCUAS). Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Mr. Garcia is deeply committed to serving the community that helped shape him. His passion for education, community development, and public service has guided his career and continues to inspire his work in expanding access to agricultural education and sustainability initiatives throughout the region.

With a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M International University, Mr. Garcia brings over a decade of professional experience in leadership, program management, education, community outreach, and healthcare administration. Throughout his career, he has held leadership and program development roles at Texas A&M International University, Laredo College, and Aveanna Healthcare, where he successfully managed educational programs, supervised teams, coordinated grant-funded initiatives, developed community partnerships, and worked to improve opportunities for students, families, and community members.

As Executive Director of LCUAS, Mr. Garcia works closely with local organizations, schools, government agencies, and community partners to promote urban agriculture, food access, environmental stewardship, and lifelong learning. Under his leadership, LCUAS continues to grow its educational programs, community gardens, demonstration farm, workshops, and outreach efforts, helping residents of all ages develop the knowledge and skills needed to create a healthier, more sustainable future for Laredo.

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Urban Educator

Jessica Oquendo

Mrs. Oquendo serves as the Urban Educator for the Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture & Sustainability (LCUAS). Born in Florida and raised in the countryside of Puerto Rico, Mrs. Oquendo developed a lifelong passion for agriculture by watching her family grow and harvest their own food. This early connection to the land inspired her commitment to sustainable gardening, food production, and agricultural education.

After moving to Laredo, Texas, Mrs. Oquendo established her own productive backyard homestead and continued expanding her agricultural knowledge and experience. For several years, she has worked with youth through school-based gardening programs, providing hands-on lessons that teach students where their food comes from and how to grow it sustainably.

In addition to her role at LCUAS, Mrs. Oquendo is the founder of Tertia Garden LLC, an exotic plant business dedicated to sharing unique and specialty plants with the community. Through her work, she hopes to inspire individuals and families to connect with nature, grow their own food, and discover the many benefits of agriculture and environmental stewardship.

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Head Groundskeeper

Jorge Cruz

Mr. Cruz serves as the Head Groundskeeper for the Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture & Sustainability (LCUAS). Born in El Salvador, Mr. Cruz immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities. His journey took him through Guatemala and Mexico before eventually migrating and settling in Los Angeles, California. While working in construction and other trades, Mr. Cruz also took on agricultural jobs that sparked his curiosity about plants and farming. Inspired by these experiences, he began learning about plant care, cultivation, and gardening on his own, developing valuable knowledge through hands-on experience and a genuine passion for agriculture.

Later, Mr. Cruz moved to Texas and made Laredo his home, where he continued applying and expanding the skills he had gained in California. He worked in several landscaping and gardening positions, further strengthening his expertise in plant care, maintenance, and cultivation. His dedication and love for working with plants eventually led him to join LCUAS, where he now serves as Head Groundskeeper.

At the Demonstration Farm, Mr. Cruz plays a vital role in maintaining crops, gardens, and educational spaces while sharing his knowledge and experience with staff, volunteers, students, and community members. Known for his strong work ethic, practical expertise, and willingness to teach others, Jorge helps inspire the next generation of gardeners and urban agriculture enthusiasts throughout the Laredo community. Throughout his journey, Mr. Cruz has built meaningful relationships and remains deeply grateful for the many people who have supported and encouraged him along the way.

Cultivating Economic Growth and Community Health Through a Thriving Local Food System

A BRIEF TIMELINE OF OUR HISTORY

Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan

2017

Laredo Center for Urban

Agriculture and Sustainability

2018

2021

Laredo Food Policy Council

Laredo Healthy Food Plan

2023

In 2017, citizens of Laredo selected a healthy and thriving city as a priority for the city's growth through the Comprehensive Plan.

Empowered by the plan. advocates committed to food policy worked with the local government to allocate public funds to an urban center for agriculture.

Learning from best practices, the creation of the Food Policy Council was created - an open forum where local, state, and regional food organizations bust silos and collaborate to improve health goals.

The result of their work culminated in the Healthy Food System Plan - a document outlining the strategy to build a healthier and sustainable future for Laredoans centered around the food system.

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