New Roots Community Farm
San Diego, United States · Operator: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Overview
The IRC turned a 2.3-acre vacant lot in San Diego's City Heights into an urban farm for refugees and immigrants. Opened in 2009, around 70 families grow foods from their homelands while putting down roots in a new country.
Citizen participation
Sprung from Somali Bantu refugee women who wanted to farm again, the site gives resettled refugee and immigrant families from around the world individual plots to grow crops tied to their food cultures.
Operating model
Part of the IRC's 'New Roots' refugee self-sufficiency program; a nonprofit operation where families grow for their own tables and sell surplus to build economic security and food access.
Impact
Visited by former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010, who called it a model for building healthy communities, it has become an emblematic case of refugee self-reliance, food security and social inclusion.
Crops
- kale
- chard
- pumpkin
- taro
- cucumbers
- corn
- beans
- lemongrass
Scale
9,300 m² — シティハイツ地区の約2.3エーカー（約9,300㎡）の遊休地を転用。70以上の区画で世界各地出身の難民・移民の家族が耕作。
Sources（2）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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