New Farmers

CROPS is working on a variety of projects to help immigrants and refugees begin farming in the Southeast Nebraska area. Since 2005, we have worked with a number of individuals on growing vegetables for market. We provide training, technical assistance, supplies and land to people who want to work hard and develop their own business.

We are also able to provide assistance to those wanting to raise livestock.

We are now recruiting for the farming project for 2008. Deadline to apply is February 15, 2008.

See our webpage on the farming project for more information

CSA

Community CROPS has offered Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares for the last two summers. A CSA works by consumers paying a fixed amount of money to a farmer at the beginning of the season. They receive a weekly bag of fresh, chemical-free produce during the growing season.

More information is available on Community CROPS CSA.

Click here for a great explanation of CSAs.

Heifer Project

We are also working with Heifer International to provide livestock loans to people interested in working with animals. We are just beginning our project and are looking for interested immigrants or refugees who want to get involved. Please contact us if you are interested.

ELL

At our 46th Street Community Garden, we offered weekly English classes for English Language Learners (ELL). Classes focused on the topics that the gardeners wanted to discuss, including gardening terms. The instructors put together an interesting paper on their work in the gardens and various lessons they learned. The Web of Life: Community Gardens as a Site for Teaching English Language Learners