By Scout Nelson
In the heart of northeast Kansas City, Kansas, the New Roots program is making a significant impact by providing refugees with a platform to engage in urban farming.
This initiative, a collaborative effort between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Cultivate KC, operates on the fertile grounds of Juniper Gardens farm, where participants cultivate a variety of crops relevant to their cultural backgrounds.
The program, designed as a four-year apprenticeship, offers participants from diverse origins, including countries like Myanmar, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mexico, an opportunity to hone their agricultural skills in a new climate and business environment.
The farm itself is a melting pot of cultures, with multiple languages filling the air around the greenhouses and plots.
Kristin Selby, the program manager, emphasizes the accessibility challenges faced by non-English speakers. Catholic Charities steps in to provide necessary interpretation services and translation of resources, making the agricultural education accessible to all participants.
Selby also oversees a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program where the produce grown by the farmers is sold, fostering a direct connection between local consumers and the growers.
Currently, the program supports 11 farmers in training and six graduates who lease land on the site, contributing to the local food supply and economy. Over the past 15 years, 46 families have graduated from New Roots, with 32 still actively farming in the community.
Urban farming not only strengthens community ties but also promotes environmental sustainability. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, urban farms contribute significantly to the global food supply and are pivotal in making cities more climate resilient.
These farms add necessary green spaces to urban areas, reduce carbon emissions by shortening the food supply chain, and enhance social and economic equity, especially in neighborhoods lacking fresh food access or disproportionately affected by climate change.
New Roots exemplifies how urban agriculture can transform lives and communities, providing a nurturing environment where dreams of agricultural pursuits turn into reality, as echoed by Rubi Hernandez, a first-year participant who is fulfilling her long-held dream of starting her own farm in the U.S.
This program not only teaches farming techniques but also integrates refugees into the fabric of the community, reinforcing the role of agriculture in building a sustainable and inclusive urban ecosystem.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-peopleimages
Categories: Kansas, Sustainable Agriculture