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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Land available- plots at 2 community gardens and 2 partner farms
Farmers selling produce at CNY Regional Market and in Harvest Shares -10
Staff hours of providing farming, marketing, and technical assistance to farmers- 1,723
Participants growing their own fresh produce- 35 farmers & 10 community gardeners
Pounds harvested- 20,888
Goat sold- 34
Agriculture education classes held- 41
Amount earned by farmers- $6908
Average grocery savings per farmer’s family- $900
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.
who can repair of broken tractor or Subaru at the farm
who can install a drier and assess backup generator viability
who can trouble shoot pipe freezing issues and assess hot water heater
who can migrate agriculture web content to a new platform
Wishlist Items
- Compost, mulch, gravel, soil, peat, etc
- Perennials and tree crops
- Weed Wacker
- Cold Storage Unit
- Landscape Fabric
- Floating Row Cover
- 100 gallon wash tub
- Riding lawnmower
- Gator cart
- Macro bins
- Pickup Truck
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.
