Vermont African group receives $300,000 USDA Urban Agriculture grant
Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV) to provide nearly 70 households with garden plots for New Americans
Vermont Biz
08/26/2020
Excerpt:
They were one of ten recipients selected from 500 applicants through the national competitive grant program.
The effort will provide 80 garden plots to approximately 70 households on five acres of leased land to support food production and community building for New Americans. The project will build upon the existing garden infrastructure to improve local food access, offer a 48-week agriculture program for refugee farmers focusing on food systems and nutrition, and a leadership/mentorship program in partnership with the Vermont Community Garden Network. Over 250 people of multiple ages, seven languages and five ethnic groups will be reached.
New Farms for New Americans offsite link image Project Coordinator Alisha Laramee said, “We are thrilled to receive this incredibly important and timely grant. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work with this next generation of Vermonters.”
The effort will focus on four areas including:
Building upon and implementing an advanced garden curriculum, to include emphasis on educating farmers on Vermont-specific issues such as soil structure, climate adaptation, pests and diseases.
Implementing a farmer-to-farmer mentor program to initiate a process to create community empowerment and autonomy by facilitating a leadership program.
