By Andi Anderson
Across the United States, farming is helping refugee communities reconnect with their cultural roots while building new friendships and support systems.
One program leading this effort is New Farms for New Americans, which allows refugee families to grow crops they are familiar with from their home countries.
Geographer and University of Vermont professor Pablo Bose has studied these community farming programs and shared his findings during a visit to Indiana University in 2024. His talk, hosted by the Center for Refugee Studies and other university groups, focused on how these agricultural spaces improve resettlement outcomes.
Dr. Bose explains that many refugee farmers enjoy working outdoors with family and neighbors. These shared gardening spaces give people from different communities the chance to meet and exchange knowledge, strengthening social ties while growing healthy food.
The Earth Eats show recently aired an episode featuring Dr. Bose's insights. The program highlighted several refugee agriculture efforts across the U.S., including:
- New Roots by the International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Global Gardens in Boise, Idaho
- Nuestras Raíces in Holyoke, Massachusetts
- Common Earth Gardens and New Hope International Farms in Louisville, Kentucky
- Association of Africans Living in Vermont
These programs not only support food security but also offer emotional and cultural healing for refugees starting life in a new country. The ability to grow familiar vegetables and herbs brings comfort, while the farming work itself provides structure and purpose.
As Dr. Bose shared, refugee farmers often speak about the joy of being in nature and working alongside their families. They also value opportunities to meet people from other cultures and learn from them.
Community farms are more than food sources—they are powerful tools for building connection, resilience, and hope in refugee communities.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Indiana, General