New Roots FARM Program Grows at IRC

Due to rapid expansion nationwide, the IRC’s Fostering Agricultural Refugee Microenterprise (FARM) Program is now the New Roots FARM Program. The program began with funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement in 2007, and with new initiatives springing up all over the country, IRC has unified the program to celebrate refugee farming nationwide. When you see New Roots Farm Program on local Phoenix farm stands or products, you’ll know that the producers are working with IRC. Please support these new refugee farmers with a purchase of their products!

The Community and Economic Development Department announced three new grant awards for the New Roots FARM Program; a grant from Western Center of Risk Management will teach up to 20 farmers how to develop a production plan, business plan and marketing strategies for their farms and crops; a grant from the USDA will continue to help farmers with training, technical assistance and help accessing mainstream farming resources; and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco has awarded funding to IRC Phoenix to purchase two mobile processing units for farmers.

For more information, please contact Jon Vosper, Community and Economic Development Manager, at jon.vosper@theIRC.org or by phone at 602.433.2440 ext. 235.