New Farms for New Americans (NFNA) is AALV’s gardening and agricultural program. Its mission is to help participants at three levels: 1) access community gardens and gardening resources; 2) learn about farming for a profit in the U.S. and participate in social enterprise sales, or 3) start up a farm business.
The program serves over 90 households from Africa and Asia. Participants have a great wealth of agricultural experience from their homelands. Organic food cultivation is for them an avenue to earn supplemental income as well as to maintain their culture, while supporting their mental and physical well-being. NFNA participants are eager to learn, to adapt, and to continue cultivating organic food in the U.S. NFNA supports these aspirations by linking participants to land, marketing opportunities, training and technical assistance.
NFNA supports the health and self-sufficiency of refugee and immigrant households. The project also creates a more inclusive local food system. The New Farms for New Americans program and its participants are contributing significantly to sustaining healthy people and a working landscape in Vermont for years to come.
NFNA Partners Include:
The Intervale Center, the USDA Vermont Farm Service Agency, Vermont Adult Learning and Opportunities Credit Union and many other community supporters.
More Info for Customers and Supporters:
CSA Info and Registration Form
West African and Bhutanese CSA Info (coming soon)
Donation Wish List
NFNA Facebook Page
Volunteer Opportunities
Press and Videos:
June 20, 2011: USDA Blog. “New Farms for New Americans in Vermont.”
Summer 2010: Vermont’s Local Banquet. “New to American, Old Hands at Agriculture.”
July 2010: Shelburne News. “From Garden to Restaurant via International Effort.”
July 2010: Vermont Woman. “Seeking Respite, Global Refugees Resettle in Vermont.”
March 12, 2008: Seven Days. “Cultivating Relationships.”
Where to find NFNA Produce:
Healthy Living, City Market, Bluebird Tavern, American Flatbread, Stone Soup, Nunyons, Ice House Restaurant, UVM Cat Pause Café, New North End Farmers Market, Old North End Farmers Market, Thursdays at the Intervale, Winooski Farmers Market, UVM Farmers Market, O’Brian Community Center Farm Stand (Thursdays), King Street Center Farm Stand (Wednesdays), NFNA Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
NFNA Sponsors:
Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Red Wagon Plants
Healthy Living
City Market
Growald Foundation
Powell Family Foundation
