Deaf New American Farm

View the project final report

Commodities

• Vegetables: beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, greens (leafy), greens (lettuces), okra, onions, other, peas (culinary), peppers, radishes (culinary), sweet corn, tomatoes
• Additional Plants: ginger, herbs, native plants

Practices

• Sustainable Communities: employment opportunities, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, quality of life

Deaf New American (DNA) is a Syracuse-based nonprofit organization committed to empowering deaf Immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers by developing their education, leadership, life skills, and social and mental well-being. Deaf New American farm is one of the major projects of Deaf New American.

The majority of the Deaf New American farmers belonged to agricultural farming communities. Moving into a new culture, with communication and language barriers, we see that they are being isolated from community activities. This is one of the major reasons for deteriorating social, economic, mental, and physical well-being. To address this issue, this project envisioned agricultural farming that is including community activities.

The main objective of the project is to empower and engage the member of DNA through agricultural farming. The traditional farming method will be used by incorporating new technologies and organic farming practices. Organic and seasonal vegetables will be produced.  The farming activities, including life skills, will be carried out on DNA’s farm. We hope this farm-based project can be an innovative model led by the deaf and could be expanded in other communities and space for upcoming Deaf New American farmers.

The project will tailor its outreach to both the Deaf New American community as well as non-deaf community members. We plan to partner with local libraries, churches, farmers' markets, and Asian stores so the larger community has access to these native commodities. The community will also be put together by organizing farm-to-table activities. 

This project seeks to empower and engage the Deaf New Americans (DNAs) through agricultural farming. The specific objectives are as follows:

1. To produce native, organic, and seasonal vegetables by utilizing the unique experience, knowledge, and traditional practice of Deaf New Americans.
2. To create an open community for Deaf refugees from different cities where they can gather, exchange knowledge, share/buy vegetables from Deaf Farmers, and engage in community activities.
3. To train and strengthen the DNA’s knowledge regarding farming, agricultural small business ideas, and potential markets.
4. To make a Deaf-led community farming model for other communities. 
5. To empower Deaf New Americans by creating meaningful partnerships with related stakeholders like farmer's markets, libraries, churches, Asian stores, etc.