Refugees' urban farm welcomes Michelle Obama [Photos]

On a whirlwind tour to promote her initiative to end childhood obesity, First Lady Michelle Obama had a brief respite today in a green oasis. It was the unlikeliest of oases: a 2.3-acre strip of land along a busy San Diego street, transformed with hard work--and great hopes--by 80 refugee farmers into a bountiful garden. The IRC-sponsored New Roots Community Farm celebrated its grand opening last September after nearly two years' struggle to win the city’s permission.

The refugees started the farm with just two hoses and many language barriers, Mrs. Obama told an audience this afternoon that included their neighbors as well as IRC staff members. “What they proved," she said, "is that food is truly the universal language of the planet.” Bilali Muya, a refugee from Somalia who helped show Mrs Obama around the farm, agrees. “People are coming together, borrowing and sharing seeds with each other," he said. "I’ve eaten different kinds of food from different parts of the world. Sharing food is an important part of a people’s self-respect and pride.”

 

While the farm has brought fresh produce to an urban neighborhood with a glut of unhealthy eating options, these refugee farmers aren't just planting nutritious food for their families. They're also planting new roots in their adopted community.

You can take a video tour of the New Roots Community Farm with YouTube video volunteer LisaNova. Learn more about the IRC's work in San Diego here.