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GROWING GLOBAL AUCTION COORDINATED BY BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES TO BENEFIT LOCAL REFUGEE FARMERS
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GROWING GLOBAL AUCTION COORDINATED BY BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES TO BENEFIT LOCAL REFUGEE FARMERS
Event on November 14th to be held at Grand Rapids Downtown Market
KENTWOOD, Mich., Oct. 24, 2013– A small group of Bhutanese refugees recently gathered at Holy Cross Episcopal Church’s community garden on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The group harvested produce from the garden to sell to the YMCA’s “Veggie Van,” a mobile market that transports their tomatoes, potatoes, hot peppers, and beans to local consumers. It was the first sale of homegrown produce for these refugees, who receive support from Grand Rapids-based Bethany Christian Services, a global family preservation and child welfare agency.
The Growing Global, Farming Local: Refugee Benefit Silent Auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. on November 14 at the new Grand Rapids Downtown Market’s banquet hall. The proceeds from the auction will benefit Hope Farms, a five-acre incubator farm close to many homes of refugees in Southeast Grand Rapids. On the farm, refugees will apply their extensive agricultural experience, and learn new entrepreneurial and farming skills. Produce from the new farm will be sold in local farmer markets, groceries, and restaurants.
Hope Farms builds upon high enthusiasm for community gardening amongst the refugee community. In the third growing season this year, over 90 families are participating in gardens at three local churches: Holy Cross Episcopal, Ascension Lutheran and Grand Rapids International Fellowship. Community gardeners from Burma and Bhutan have also participated in focus groups and brainstorming sessions, dreaming about how to expand their agricultural endeavors.
At Hope Farms, the Bhutanese and Burmese will cultivate both traditional produce like tomatoes, potatoes and beans, along with unique vegetables from their home countries. Additionally, the proposed farm creates the opportunity for ethnic community members to grow produce on a larger scale and generate supplemental income and food.
Earlier this month, potential refugee farmers visited the Downtown Market and Fulton Street Farmers’ Market to get a feel for the venues where they could eventually sell what they’ve grown. Vending at these markets, which are important community and cultural centers in Grand Rapids, would connect refugees to the broader community, and create a valuable cultural exchange on all parts.
For more information, to register for the Growing Global, Farming Local: Refugee Benefit Silent Auction, or to make a donation to the program, please visit the Growing Global event page (www.bethany.org/grandrapids/growing-global-farming-local). Refreshments and live music will be provided.
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Contact: [email protected] | 616.965.8056
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