REFUGEE & IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Farm Share with New Roots for Refugees

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Previously known as “CSA” (Community Supported Agriculture), our “Farm Share” program allows customers to invest in our farm and farmers by paying  upfront or in monthly installments for several weeks of vegetables throughout the season. This gives the customer a chance to deepen their engagement with our program and learn about the seasonality of farming in Kansas City, while giving the farmers an expanded and reliable market for their produce.

This year, we are offering three distinct seasons:

• Spring Greens Vegetable Share – March 25-April 29 — $16/ week (+ tax)
• Early Summer Vegetable Share – May 12-July 22  – $24/week (+ tax)
• Late Summer Vegetable Share – Aug. 4-Oct. 14 – $24/week (+ tax)

When refugees are forced to flee their countries, they arrive in the United States with very little.  They have left behind relatives and friends; their home; and their jobs.  What they bring with them, however, is often a great deal of agricultural expertise.

Catholic Charities, in partnership with Cultivate KC, began New Roots for Refugees, a program to help refugees put down new roots.  New Roots builds on the strengths and experience that the refugees already possess, helping them start their own small farm businesses growing and selling vegetables.  Farming is a familiar livelihood that offers them some measure of self-determination and self-sufficiency, healthy food for their families, extra income, and a way to contribute to their new communities.

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JUNIPER GARDENS TRAINING FARM

Currently, there are 16 refugee farmers growing at the New Roots nine-acre training farm, Juniper Gardens, located at 100 Richmond Avenue, Kansas City, KS 6601. Each has a quarter acre plot of land. On the farm, they learn the process and skills to farm, manage, market and sell produce which they grow with their own hands. Everything grown at the Juniper Gardens Training Farm abides by strict organic principles.  Genetically modified or treated seeds, synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or anything else that is forbidden on certified organic farms are never used.  Apart from annual tillage, and the use of small walk-behind tillers, New Roots farmers generally cultivate the earth relying primarily on their own physical strength rather than petroleum powered machinery.

The refugees’ home grown produce not only feeds their families, but is also sold at several local Farmers’ Markets, or through the Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA).

As their farm businesses become established and they develop more skills, they move to greater financial and managerial independence. Eventually they are able to move onto their own land and operate independently.