Objective
Food Next Door Community Farm is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals from migrant and refugee backgrounds can connect with the land, enhance their skills, and build a sustainable future for themselves and their families. Through small-scale agriculture, we are building capacity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering food sovereignty and community cohesion. Through a generous land share arrangement, twenty-four plots are cultivated to provide food for subsistence and generate additional income for participating families and our local food system.
Challenge
Food Next Door Community Farm addresses challenges faced by migrant and refugee communities, such as limited access to land and water, tools, and sustainable farming skills. We promote social integration and provide access to familiar foods. Our services focus on empowering these communities to thrive and strengthen our local food system.
Result
Our programs provide participants with access to land, pre-study and employment training, and tools required to grow their food and achieve self-sufficiency. Educational workshops offered cover sustainable farming techniques, irrigation management, crop husbandry, and project management. Cultural exchange events and shared meals foster a vibrant and inclusive community, while our peer mentoring and support networks strengthen social bonds and provide ongoing support.
Impact
The impact of Food Next Door Community Farm is profound and multifaceted. Participants have transformed their lives, gained self-sufficiency, improved food security, and developed a sense of belonging within the community. The farm has empowered individuals to take control of their futures, provided them with valuable skills, and built strong support networks. Success stories highlight the positive changes and lasting benefits experienced by our community members. In 2024, four families will graduate from a small plot to a two-acre market garden.
