Accessing land, training, assets, markets, mainstream and government programs are barriers for refugees to start new farm businesses. Accessing the American Farm Dream project has helped refugees overcome these barriers and start and/or expand farm enterprises in the greater Phoenix area through the IRC’s New Roots Farm and Food Security Program.
The project is sponsored by USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grant Program to help refugee farmers and ranchers experience the connections they need as they are new to the US. The program is currently working with individuals and families from Bhutan, Burma, Congo, Cuba, Iraq, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, Togo and Uzbekistan in the Southwest Sun Valley.
The project provides refugees information and connection services in:.
• Land access
• Mainstream and government programs access
• Business planning and market development
• Loan assistance
• Tool lending
• Marketing materials access
• Agricultural skill development
• One-to-one technical assistance
• Connecting to market outlets
The program was designed to promote and increase the economic self-sufficiency of refugees through the creation, expansion, or strengthening of refugee-owned agricultural businesses. It has many benefits to the refugee farmers/ranchers/gardeners. It is a means of community integration, ways to self-sufficiency, sources of economic empowerment and food security. To get the benefits and services enroll in the New Roots Farm and Food Security Program. To the community, it is a good source of nutritious, locally grown and healthy food. To support sustainable refugee agriculture, work in partnership with IRC’s New Roots Farm and Food Security Program.
For more information about the American Farm Dream Project, please contact Worku Belew at Worku.Belew@Rescue.org.
