Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE)

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Agriculture

Syracuse Refugee Agricultural Program (SyRAP)

Increasing self-sustainability and decreasing food insecurity among New Americans in Central NY

RISE operates 3 community gardens on the Northside of Syracuse, a mixed vegetable farm in Lacona, NY, and a meat goat farm in Tully, NY. These gardens/farms provide New Americans with the resources and education required to grow and acquire culturally relevant foods in Central NY. Many of RISE’s clients come to the US with extensive agriculture experience and a desire to maintain their agricultural traditions.
Our programs equip farmers to increase self-sufficiency though growing and marketing food, as desired by farmers. Farming classes are taught to first and second year farmers in a variety of languages through a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Participants have the option to sell their produce locally or take the harvest home to their communities. Farmers often reflected on the sense of empowerment from being able to grow food again for their family, their improved physical and mental well-being while farming, and the excitement of having something to look forward to during the long winter in Central NY.
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RISE Agricultural Programs:

RISE Community Farm

Located in Lacona, NY- about 50 minutes north of Syracuse. 20 farmers and their families, hailing from 5 different counties and speaking a combined 6+ languages each have 1/8th acre farm plots to grow culturally appropriate food at the farm.
  • Over 30,000 pounds has been harvested in the past 2 seasons, with over $6,500 in sales
  • Most farmers grow for subsistence, sharing food with large immediate communities, but RISE supported markets are also available for any surplus produce farmers wish to sell
RISE provides farmers with transportation, technical assistance, farmer education in multiple languages, and tools, while farmers provide their own seeds and manage their plots. The 180-acre farm (150 wooded acres, 30 pasture acres) was recently acquired thanks to a generous donation from St. Fransis Farm in 2022
  • Currently renovations anticipated in 2024: new greenhouse, new cold storage area, deer fencing, and expanded production footprint from 2.5 to 4 acres
RISE also serves as a regional land access Navigator, helping both RISE farmers and other incubator farmers navigate land access and business development processes across Central NY

Community Gardens

RISE has 3 Community gardens located in Syracuse on Lodi, Seward, and Stueben Streets. Individuals or families can seasonally rent (for free) plots at the community gardens to grow food near their homes- currently 16 gardeners are participating. The garden spaces also create opportunity for urban agriculture education, children’s programs, tours, community meetups, etc

Goat Farm

Located in Tully, NY- about 25 minutes south of Syracuse. After 4 years of construction, apprenticeship, and system development, the program is currently in transition from RISE operation to a client owned and operated business. Customers, by appointment, can purchase and self-slaughter a goat on site according to their religious or cultural practices

Informative Fast Facts of 2022

Cultivating Life With RISE!

Informative Fast Facts of 2022

Check us out on our social media and online forums!
 

Instagram: @syrap_rise

Website: www.syraporg.wordpress.com 

Email: anna@refugeeandimmigrant.org .

Want to Support the Program?

Versatile Volunteer Opportunities for All 

During the growing season, the farm is a hub of activity as farmers plant, maintain, and harvest from their plots. RISE welcomes any volunteers interested in coming out to meet farmers and help out with their farming needs. Most farm tasks are physical and include lifting, squatting, pulling, and pushing. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing (e.g., long pants, close-toed shoes) for outside work. Tools are available at the farm, but we recommend that you also bring water bottles, sun protection (e.g., hats, sunglass, sunscreen), and snacks. If interested in volunteering or setting up an organization workday, please contact Pat Dunn now.
Contact Us Today

Want to Support the Program?

Mechanic who can repair of broken tractor or Subaru at the farm

Electrician who can install a drier and assess backup generator viability

Plumber who can trouble shoot pipe freezing issues and assess hot water heater

Website designer who can migrate agriculture web content to a new platform

Wishlist Items

Compost, mulch, gravel, soil, peat, etc

Perennials and tree crops

Laundry Dryer

Weed Wacker

Cold Storage Unit

Tractor Forks

Landscape Fabric

Floating Row Cover

100 gallon wash tub

Riding lawnmower

Gator cart

Macro bins

Passenger Van

Pickup Truck

Get In Touch
Learn More about SyRAP
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RISE Agriculture Program Website Information

Program mission: Our mission is to increase self-sustainability and decrease food insecurity by providing refugees and immigrants with the agricultural resources they need to provide culturally appropriate food to their communities in Central New York.

Agriculture Website link

A program of RISE (wordpress.com)

Agriculture Instagram handle

@syrap_rise

Inquiries

anna@refugeean

dimmigrant.org 

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