Hollywood Hills Farmers Transform Estate Into Boutique Farm

Priti Chowdhury and Jules Leib now manage a four-acre farm producing agave and microgreens in the Hollywood Hills.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Organic Food

Bold vector illustration featuring rows of agave and microgreens on a hillside, evoking the sustainable urban farming movement in Los Angeles. — Priti Chowdhury and Jules Leib transformed their four-acre Mulholland Estate into an urban farm producing agave and microgreens for local restaurants. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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After failing to develop residential homes on their four-acre Mulholland Estate property, owners Priti Chowdhury and Jules Leib transitioned the land into a productive farm. The estate now supplies microgreens to 30 local chefs and restaurants while maintaining 6,000 agave plants and 6,000 dahlia tubers.

Why it matters

The farm serves as a localized alternative to a national food system where nearly 60 percent of fruit and 50 percent of vegetables are imported. Additionally, the owners recently hosted an event to support Farmworker Justice, highlighting the labor challenges facing the 2.4 million farmworkers in the United States.

The four-acre property currently employs seven full-time workers to manage its 6,000 agave plants and 6,000 dahlia tubers. Owners sell harvested dahlia bouquets at a shop located at the Original Farmers Market.

The players

Priti Chowdhury

Priti Chowdhury is one of the co-owners and operators of the farm situated on the Mulholland Estate.

Jules Leib

Jules Leib operates the Hollywood Hills farm alongside Priti Chowdhury and manages the property's diverse agricultural output.

Farmworker Justice

Farmworker Justice is a national advocacy organization that works to improve living and working conditions for farmworkers in the United States.

The details

The farmers cultivate the steep hillside by walking 1,000 plants across the slope and utilizing a 500-foot-long hose for irrigation. Looking toward the future, they plan to release their own local agave spirits in 2028 and open a microgreens salad bar near The Grove.

Priti Chowdhury and Jules Leib purchased the four-acre lot in 2016.
The owners plan to release their local agave spirits in 2028.

Culture Shift

This venture follows the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service data on aging labor demographics by showcasing a model that contrasts with the national average farmworker age of 58. It represents a broader shift toward hyper-local food production in urban environments.

Local chefs and restaurants in the Los Angeles area now have direct access to microgreens grown within city limits rather than relying on imported produce. Residents can also purchase dahlia bouquets directly from the farm at the Original Farmers Market.

The takeaway

Small-scale urban farms offer a viable way to support local agriculture and reduce dependence on imported goods. By diversifying crops like agave and microgreens, farmers can maximize the utility of unconventional land plots.