Miss the Saturday farmers’ market? You can still find some homegrown fresh produce—and help out some families who are new to the area—Sundays through September at the Growing Forward refugee farmers’ market, in two locations in the Highlands.
The agricultural vendors are immigrants from such places as Asia and Africa, many of them who have come to the U.S. seeking asylum from an oppressive homeland government or political pressure. Growing their crops in community gardens, they sell their produce Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 12:30 in front of St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1960 Bardstown Road in the Highlands, and also from 12:30 to 4:30 at the Jewish Family and Career Services office at 2821 Klempner Way (corner of Dutchmans and Cannons Lane, near Bowman Field). One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the growers to help them acclimate to their new country—not only setting up new homes but also learning about adapting their native growing techniques to Kentucky’s soil and climate. (Agricultural extension representatives from Kentucky State University provide technical advice for those growers who have had to leave their own gardens and farms behind, or who may be struggling to start entirely new careers in America.)
The program is operated by the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Catholic Charities and also gets support from Jewish Family & Career Services. If you’re moved beyond picking up some locally grown tomatoes or squash and would like to
help out by donating seeds, hoes, shovels, hoses, tool sheds or buckets, call
Lauren
Goldberg at the
Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program
project office at 365-4713.
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