Weekly farming group helps Afghan refugees feel more at home in Denver
“First, we come here and we say ‘hello’ and we have a quick chat, and talk, and after that we harvest” she said
By Dana Knowles, Lindsey Ford
PBS
October 1, 2022
Excerpt:
The program runs from May through October due to weather. The women cultivate a small section of land and use the produce to cook fresh meals for their families at home in Denver.
Razye came from Afghanistan to the United States more than three years ago and says she grew up farming in her home country.
“I was a rancher. I had my own animals and I had big farm back in Afghanistan, so when I come to this farm, I feel so excited,” she said, explaining how the tomatoes and potatoes are her favorites to take home and cook. “We make food that reminds me of my country back home, and that’s the happiest I’ve been.”
Anywhere from 70,000?to 80,000 Afghan refugees are now living in the United States. According to the Colorado Refugee Program, Colorado has welcomed around 2,500 refugees since July of 2022. The United Nations Refugee Agency? says that Afghans are one of the largest refugee populations in the world with an estimated 2.6 million registered across the globe in countries like Pakistan and Iran.?
