Just outside downtown Chicago, a once-empty lot is now a thriving hub for refugee farmers.
Leafy greens, legumes and other seasonal vegetables are abundant at Global Gardens, a nonprofit that has provided free plots, seeds and agricultural training to hundreds of refugee families since 2012. Farmers not only grow food to eat, but to sell at local markets and restaurants. Last year, six market farmers collectively earned $100,000 — while also finding a place for connection.
“Most of them are growing not only for food security to save on groceries during the summertime, but also to make friends and to have a space to gather,” said Hayley Lerand, executive director of nonprofit Global Gardens.
One of those market farmers is Pak Suan, who left Burma with his family more than a decade ago. Though he works multiple jobs, he calls the garden a “family job.” His daughter, son and mother all play key roles at the garden.
“It amazes me,” his daughter, Rita, said of the family’s farming business. “My dad inspires me to be more hard-working, so it’s an honor.”
Watch the video above to see how families like Suan’s are building community one harvest at a time.
