Our Work

Through our work we seek to:

  • Increase self-sustainability and decrease food insecurity.
  • Provide resources and access to land for the refugee community to make food access equitable for all.
  • Provide a stable source of food and income to help support refugee families and keep their agricultural traditions.  

Farmland Access

On our farmland in Oswego County, farmers first acquire 1/8 acre of farmland to grow food for their family and community. SyRAP farmers are able to scale up their growing space, year by year, up to 1 acre. Farmers have the option of selling any of the crops they grow through the SyRAP market stand at the Central New York Regional Market in Syracuse.

Agricultural Workshops

The SyRAP program offers educational workshops on a variety of topics including soil fertility, pest management, business planning, food safety, marketing, and land acquisition. We provide interpreters for the many languages spoken by the participants of the program.

Market Access

SyRAP hosts a booth at the Central New York Regional Market throughout the summer for farmers who are interested in selling their produce and gaining marketing experience. We also assist in transporting the large harvests from our farm to the market.

Community Gardening

SyRAP provides space for people to grow food in three community gardens on the Northside of Syracuse. First year participants of the SyRAP program begin growing here together. Starting in the second year, SyRAP participants have the opportunity to start growing on farmland at our new farm in Lacona, NY.

Goat Farm

With grant funding, SyRAP made it possible for families in the refugee community to purchase and self-butcher goats at Yorkholm Farm in Tully, NY. Individuals from the community interested in pursuing goat farming attended husbandry workshops and trainings at the new facility, and are working to take over management of the program from SyRAP.

The Syracuse Refugee Agricultural Program (SyRAP) is a program of Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE)

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