Refugees Bring Flavor of Home to Community Farms

24 October 2011

Refugee gardeners participating in the International Rescue Committee's New Roots program at Drew Gardens in the Bronx area of New York City

This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

Generations of newcomers have brought their tastes and sometimes their farming skills to American soil. These include refugees who have gotten help from government agencies and private groups to grow crops on community farms. These farms and gardens can be found across the country.

Bantu refugees from Somalia helped start the New Roots Community Farm in San Diego, California. Many of them did not have much money or much

fresh produce

in their lives. Some, especially young people, were eating unhealthy fast food.

The refugees wanted to grow their own food. Cambodians and other groups in San Diego were in a similar situation.

A community farm seemed like a good answer. The refugees got help from the group that had

resettled

many of them, the International Rescue Committee. But getting a

permit

to use some open land owned by the city took about two years.

The New Roots Community Farm opened in two thousand nine. The farm is almost one hectare. People can learn how to grow foods from back home as well as traditional American crops.

The growers sell some of their produce at a marketplace and to restaurants.