Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Urban Agriculture: A Case Study of Farmer Training Program for Resettled Refugees

This case study aims to understand the experiences of resettled refugee farmers in New Roots, a farmer training program for refugees and immigrants in Kansas City, USA. Over the course of a year, the research team fostered relationships by participating in the program before conducting interviews with both farmers and staff, allowing for rich, contextual insights into the program’s impact. The findings showed that farmers were drawn to New Roots for its flexibility, its perceived benefits for mental well-being, and the opportunities it provided for social connection. Many appreciated the freedom to set their own schedules, especially in contrast to the rigid and often exploitative conditions they experienced in other jobs, which featured strict hours, limited mobility, and little chance for informal interaction. In contrast, New Roots offers a meaningful path to independence, granting participants greater control over their daily lives and the ability to shape their own futures. The program also cultivates a sense of community by fostering camaraderie among farmers and expanding their social networks. The program exemplifies principles of ecosocial work and sustainable development, which is an approach that values not only economic outcomes but also the well-being of people, the health of the planet, and the inclusive processes needed to achieve them.