The New Roots Community Farm: Till the Soil, Grow Community

With the help of more than 250 community members, the International Rescue Committee recently transformed a 2.3 acre vacant lot into a vibrant community growing space called the New Roots Community Farm. The project provides land on which low-income community members can grow their own food; increases the availability of fresh, culturally-desirable produce for newly resettled refugees and immigrants; and creates a pathway towards larger-scale farming for refugees interested in returning to their agrarian roots. The farm took over 2 years and $50,000 to actually obtain the correct permits with the city to begin. Fortunately, within one year IRC, community members and partners have established community education components of the farm including adjacent habitat restoration, a multi-lingual outdoor classroom, and a compost education site.  

The New Roots Community Farm project directly supports more than 85 families who come from all over the world: Cambodia, Somalia, Burma, Uganda, Congo, Kenya, Mexico and Guatemala. Here, the farmers cultivate not just corn, tomatoes and eggplant, but also a deeper understanding of their neighbors’ cultures. The farm has helped many refugees from all over the world who have been settled here to find friendship and common purpose. Involving such a diverse group of people is not easy, but the approach has been a powerful story of community engagement, empowerment, and local advocacy.

Click here for Bilali Muya's Bio, Amy Lint's Bio & Bob Ou's Bio.