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.

46 Graduates

Of the 46 farmers who graduated through the New Roots program, 31 still grow food and 25 continue to grow and sell in the KC metro.

16 Acres

New Roots graduates currently farm 16 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.

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Markets

Shop from New Roots farmers and graduates at local farmers markets across the greater Kansas City metro.

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Online

During our Farm Share season, we also sell individual produce items available for pickup at local organizations.

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Interested in purchasing wholesale for a restaurant or other retailer? More Details.

2023 STATISTICS
Crop Varieties
3
Farm Share Customers
3
Training Farmers
1
Wholesale Partners
1

Recent Blog Posts

Sign up for an Early Summer Farm Share!

Feature from the main Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas blog

Mediatrice’s Hope Story (New Roots for Refugees)

Feature from the main Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas blog

Where We Farm

New Roots farmers were able to learn from Chef Jane Zieha at Blue Bird Bistro a few weeks ago during a special “chef visit” field trip! 

These learning opportunities are meant to give farmers experience eating local food served in ways that may be different than their home country’s culture. 

Understanding chef expectations can make all the difference when selling wholesale to restaurants, so we want to make sure New Roots farmers have opportunities to see and taste the flavors KC chefs want to create with local produce. 

Chef Jane and her staff welcomed us with open arms, a delicious meal, and priceless advice for the farmers! Thank you @blue_bird_bistro ! 💚🌱

#kansascity #kcfood #kclocal #kck #kcwestside
Come out, support the farmers, drink some coffee, and get yourself some plants! 

We’ll also have farm tours at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00!

#kck #kansascity #kclocal #kcplants #kcfood #kccoffee 

@cultivatekc @catholiccharitiesks
🌱Saturday, May 3 🌱Save the date for our annual plant sale at Juniper Gardens Training Farm! 🌱

The New Roots farmers are currently growing beautiful transplants for your garden. They will have all sorts of vegetables and flowers ready for you—plus, some unique cultural options you’ll want to give a try!

Stay tuned for updates on some special vendors and music, too! 

#kansascity #wyco #urbanagriculture #kcmo #kck
🚌We went on a field trip to Fox and Pearl!

🥗Did you know some of the New Roots farmers cultures don’t eat raw vegetables often? 

🥗We teach all our farmers common recipes in American culture so they can better market their produce. Getting out of the classroom and actually seeing how wholesale customers use their produce helps farmers understand the quality and consistency needed to run a successful farm business. 

🥗This is why we’ve partnered with local restaurants like Fox and Pearl to give New Roots farmers an opportunity to learn first-hand how their customers use local produce. 

🥗Fox and Pearl graciously opened their restaurant to us a couple weeks ago, and farmers learned how much thought and care goes into each of Chef Vaughn Good’s dishes. Then, they got to see and taste the delicious flavors he’s created with locally grown food. 

🥗It was an amazing learning experience, and we are so grateful to Chef Vaughn, Kristine, and the entire Fox and Pearl Staff!
💚🌱
@foxandpearlkc 
@cultivatekc 
@catholiccharitiesks