Local Produce Grown by Kansas City Farmers
New Roots is a training program that empowers refugees, immigrants and English Language Learner farmers to develop sustainable businesses.
The collaboration between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Cultivate KC helps individuals with an agricultural background in their home countries adapt to Kansas City climate and culture while supporting their families.
Our trainee and graduate farmers use organic principles and sell their produce to local restaurants, at farmers markets and through Farm Share subscriptions.
Empowering Refugees, Immigrants & English Language Learners
25 Markets
Farmers and graduates sell at 25 markets across the Kansas City metro, including Lawrence, Overland Park, Independence, Parkville, Lee's Summit and Liberty.
45 Graduates
Of the 45 farmers who graduated through the New Roots program, 31 still grow food and 25 continue to grow and sell in the KC metro.
12.5 Acres
New Roots graduates currently farm 12.5 acres of land. The Juniper Gardens training farm, which follows organic practices, has quarter-acre to one-acre plots for each trainee farmer.
Purchase our local, sustainably-grown produce
Farm Share
Sign up for weekly vegetable deliveries and enjoy a season's worth of locally grown, fresh produce.
Markets
Shop from New Roots farmers and graduates at local farmers markets across the greater Kansas City metro.
Online
During our Farm Share season, we also sell individual produce items available for pickup at local organizations.
Interested in purchasing wholesale for a restaurant or other retailer? More Details.
2023 STATISTICS
Share in the Harvest
Recent Blog Posts
New Roots Program Expands & Rebrands
Feature from the main Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas blog
Support Refugee Farmers by Purchasing a New Roots Farm or Flower Share
Feature from the main Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas blog
Fall is in the air, and our Harvest Potluck is less than a month away!
It`s a chance for all of the farmers, volunteers, staff, and community meet on the farm to mark the closing of the growing season, recognize volunteers, and celebrating New Roots graduates. This year we`ll also be honoring the garden`s 15th anniversary as a training farm.
Put it on your calendar —October 17th from 4:30-6:30! It`s going to be a certified hoot.
#newroots #urbanagriculture #kansascity
Sep 20
At last week`s All Farmers Meeting at Juniper Gardens we covered a lot of ground, including bed preparation for winter and the finer points of eating stewed goat with fufu and casava greens. Only a few more weeks of the Farm Share!
#newrootsforrefugees #kansascity #urbanagriculture
Sep 18
Look! A loofah!
Luffa gourds are a type of vine-grown vegetable that is native to Asia. They are also known as loofahs, and their fibrous flesh can be used to make natural sponges.
The young, immature luffa gourds are edible and can be cooked like okra. When the gourds are fully ripe, they are dried and the flesh is removed, leaving a spongy skeleton that can be used for cleaning or crafting. Luffa gourds are a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic sponges.
Some New Roots farmers sell these fellas at their farm markets. Check out our website (link in bio) to find one near you!
#newrootsforrefugees #urbanagriculture #kansascity
Sep 16
This morning we had a class on urban wildlife identification with Amy Bousman, KC District Education Specialist with Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife.
While Farm Classes end in early April when instruction on the training farm moves to one-on-ones in the field, there are opportunities throughout the growing season to bring guest speakers to Juniper Gardens for more in depth discussion on certain subjects.
Amy helped with identification of common pests and beneficial insects we might run into in and around the gardens. She also covered a lot of information and answered questions about some of the local vertebrates.
Many New Roots growers grew up in regions with lots of venomous snakes and spiders. Amy was very helpful in emphasizing the much more common (and helpful) non-venomous species we have here in Kansas.
Thanks to the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife and forage_KC for the expertise!
#newrootsforrefugees #kansascity #wildlife #urbanagriculture
Sep 14
Plans are coming together for the 2023 National FIELD School, co-hosted right here in Kansas City by @NewEntrySustainableFarming and @cultivatekc.
What is the National FIELD School, you ask? It`s a conference of folks who operate farm incubator and apprenticeship programs around the country. Kind of like, ya know, New Roots.
This is a great opportunity to meet some of the finest folks in the (training farm) field. Check out the schedule and sign up today at the link in our bio!
Sep 12
