Harvest of Hope

This summer’s harvest of fresh vegetables has been a time of new beginnings for three Bhutanese refugees in Charlottesville. Working alongside an experienced farm manager, Sha Tamang, Tul Tamang, and Kedar Paudel (above) are learning the latest methods of production, harvesting, and processing to grow healthy, organic, sustainable foods for local consumption. Their training is part of a partnership between the IRC and the Local Food Hub, a nonprofit that helps more than 70 small family farms maximize production and sales through farm education, training, and food distribution programs. The partnership is an extension of the IRC's New Roots program, which strengthens communities by providing locally grown fruits and vegetables while increasing livelihoods and protecting the natural environment