S mall-scale agriculture can be a lucrative production and economic success in an urban or sub-urban setting. Urban food deserts, or areas where there is not access to healthy sources of food, are often found in inner cities where populations have been separated from agriculture for generations. Many people living in these areas are not accustomed to the flavor of foods that can only come from fresh produce and meats. In addition, many of these urban populations include refugee families who are not familiar with how to grow agricultural products native to or often found in Kentucky.
Kentucky State University’s Land Grant Program works with groups of refugees who are beginning farmers to start operations that will help meet a growing demand for fresh food in urban areas. Dr. Sid Dasgupta, an agricultural economist, professor, and Extension specialist, and his team are working to develop agricultural systems with high profitability, low investment and relatively low risk for these beginning farmers. With funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development and 1890 Capacity Building Grant programs, this program has seen remarkable success. Over the last year, Kentucky State University has provided support to more than 290 beginning farmers to start farming or improve their farming practices.
In Bowling Green, Ky., refugees at the International Center use a quarter-acre field donated by U.S. Bank to grow produce. These beginning farmers use black plastic mulching and fertigation technology to produce onions, lettuce, greens, turnips and other vegetables as well as kale grown in a hydroponics system—plants growing in water without soil. All of this produce was harvested and sold locally through local promotions and Facebook marketing. Another refugee farmer in Bowling Green started his own African market where he sells preferred produce to African clientele. The city of Bowling Green donated five acres to support that project.
started his own African market where he sells preferred produce to African clientele. The city of Bowling Green donated five acres to support that project.
In Louisville, Ky., Dr. Dasgupta and his team work with the Hope Community Farm and Louisville Grows to help refugees produce a variety of vegetables on an organic farm in Kentucky's largest city. This produce is sold in areas considered to be food deserts by the USDA.
Kentucky State University helped construct a high tunnel at this farm and educated refugee farmers on season extension procedures and extended production in a high tunnel. In 2018, Dr. Dasgupta with the help of research associate Richard Bryant, will help refugees start their own farmers market targeting food deserts and organic produce sales to Louisville restaurants.
Refugee farmers plant and harvest vegetables at a Louisville Grows urban farm in Jefferson County, Ky.
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