Refugee Urban Agriculture Story Map

Project Summary

As a designated refugee resettlement city, the City of Syracuse has welcomed thousands of people from around the world fleeing political persecution, natural disaster and war. Refugees from countries including Bhutan, Burma, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have brought with them to Syracuse the traditional foods and agricultural practices of their home countries. Working with Syracuse Grows, a local food justice organization, and the Salt City Harvest Farm, a refugee community farm, SCG interns conducted a case study of refugee gardening and farming practices in Syracuse. The goal of the Fall 2014 project was to better understand and bring visibility to these unique spaces of food production.

SCG interns conducted field observations, interviews and focus groups with refugee gardeners, farmers, and supporters. The results of the case study were integrated into a web-based, interactive “story map” featuring narrative, photographs, and maps. The final product highlights three refugee community gardens and the urban-fringe Salt City Harvest Farm, tracing how some of our newest community members came to arrive in Syracuse and providing a window into their unique food cultures.