Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — The White Branch Library will have a photography exhibit that will feature New American employees from Salt City Farm, an incubator farm in Kirkville, New York.
It was made by Maeve Potteiger, who became inspired to take photos at the farm after volunteering there for two years.
“I actually got involved there from my parents,” Potteiger said. “My dad plays a big role in running the farm and my stepmom has a strong connection with the deaf community in Syracuse.”
Just last year, the farm started incorporating deaf New Americans in helping out with the farm. The farm hired hearing interpreters to translate from American Sign Language to English for the workers.
Ann Horan, the community outreach librarian at White Branch, said the exhibit specifically focuses on the inclusive measures the farm is making with the deaf community.
“Not all of the refugees who work the farm are deaf,” Horan said. “But those who are learn to overcome that communication barrier by learning American Sign Language and using it in the garden. And that is the focus and beauty of the art exhibit.”
The photographs of the farmers will also show them harvesting the food and the cultivation process. Each farmer is allowed to grow their own food and have their own crops. Horan said this aspect of the farm’s message of community is important from a health standpoint.
“Another thing about our location is that for the most part we are in a food desert,” Horan said. “Being able to allow our neighbors access to fresh produce is critical to their well being.”
In 2015, RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Salt Empowerment) received a $100,000 grant and was able to create a three year program for the New Americans to learn about growing crops in this kind of climate. This way, the workers would know how to cultivate their food and crops here opposed to from where they came here from. Brandy Colbrook, the program director for the Syracuse Agricultural Refugee Program, said this grant gave New Americans a chance to farm and stay healthy.
“One of the biggest challenges refugees face when coming to the US is not only a language barrier but the availability of fresh food,” Colbrook said. “Farmers here have the choice to take the vegetables home with them to their family, or sell them.”
Kayo Green, an agriculture educator, partnered with RISE and now works with the farm to help teach others how to grow the plants. She said the farm is a perfect place for farmers to work.
“This soil is very sandy, so it made it a little easier for us farmers who were still acclimating to the new climate,” Green said.
The farm is looking for any support possible, whether that meaning community service, donations, or volunteering. The refugees will be at the library to celebrate the exhibit on Oct. 27 with the photographer and library staff.
Olivia Matalon, N.C.C News
