Refugee Farmers Find New Roots on Local Farm

A local nonprofit, Salt City Harvest Farm, is making a significant impact by supporting refugees in the Syracuse area in reclaiming their farming heritage. Amidst rising farmland costs and limited access to land, this organization is providing opportunities for refugees to reconnect with their agricultural backgrounds and contribute to their communities.

Established in 2012, Salt City Harvest Farm operates as a community garden, leasing one-eighth of an acre to eight farmers and their families. These farmers hail from diverse backgrounds, cultivating crops for personal consumption, local food pantries, and commercial sales through the CSA program and CNY Regional Market.

Through grants received from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, Salt City Harvest Farm pays farmers between $400 and $700 per month for their crops, empowering them economically. Additionally, the farm collaborates with organizations like the Deaf New American Advocacy, fostering inclusivity and shared learning.

Manika Gautam, the farm manager and a refugee from Nepal, grows a variety of vegetables, drawing upon her family's farming background. The farm also initiated a full-time farm apprentice program, with the goal of empowering a refugee to manage a nearby farm independently, thus facilitating the transition to land ownership.

While unique crops pose challenges due to the colder climate in Upstate New York, the farm aims to acclimate culturally specific foods, such as the Dalle Khursani hot pepper from Nepal. With greater resources like heated greenhouses, they envision expanding the range of crops they can grow.

Salt City Harvest Farm exemplifies the transformative power of cross-cultural exchange, community building, and sustainable agriculture. By supporting refugee farmers, this initiative not only revitalizes farming traditions but also creates economic opportunities and cultivates a stronger, more inclusive society.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-milos-cirkovic