State seeks mentors for refugee farmers

Do you want to learn about agriculture in other countries? Do you want to help others learn about farming in Massachusetts? Would you like to mentor refugee farmers? If so, the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (MORI) needs your help and wants to hear from you.

MORI and the USDA Risk Management Agency (USDA/RMA) are partnering in a project that will provide mentorship opportunities for refugee farmers. MORI is looking for farm, greenhouse, and other agriculture entrepreneurs in the Springfield and Worcester areas that are interested in mentoring refugees, many of whom have agricultural experience in their native lands.

The Commonwealth receives about 2000 refugees through the US Refugee Resettlement Program each year. About half of them worked in agriculture in their home countries. The project aims to train those interested in learning about agriculture in Massachusetts and develop mentor relationships so they can learn agriculture firsthand from successful farmers here.

MORI will coordinate, develop basic agriculture and language training based on mentor farmer input and needs, work closely with refugees and farm mentors to solve problems as they arise, and facilitate the relationships. They hope to pilot the project on one to four farms near Springfield and Worcester with up to 30 refugees. Possibilities may also exist in the Merrimack Valley.

If you are interested in learning more, contact Larry Dixon at 617-727-7888, x330 or larry.dixon@state.ma.us. 

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