Transplanting Traditions Community Farm has received $33,650 in support from Weaver Street Market grants and stipends to help the farmers develop a more resilient and self-sufficient farm. The 8-acre farm provides 155 refugee adults and youth access to land, healthy food, agricultural and entrepreneurial opportunities. The farm runs a 150-member CSA, and farmers sell at the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Farmers’ Markets.
The farm has received two Cooperative Community Fund grants. The first grant provided the refugee youth a stipend for learning to run a refugee farmers’ market and funds for incentives to shoppers using SNAP dollars at the market.
A second grant was awarded for a commercial vegetable processing station to prepare vegetables for the CSA and farmers’ markets. The station is a crucial piece of a three-acre expansion project that enables existing farmers to expand their businesses and allow new farmers to enter the program.
The farm has received $32,000 in stipends for its farmer manager training program. The grant provides a stipend for crucial living wage income and skill development for three female refugee farmers. Through the leadership development program, these farmers are gaining the skills to manage the operations of the farm, which follows a cooperative style business model.