"ReGen Roots") has been developing community farms and farm to school programs at the local high schools since 2017. ReGen Roots currently manages approximately eight acres of farm-land at two sites where we manage the following programming:
1. Refugee Community Farmer Program- Provide land, resources, and educational opportunities to refugee community members to grow their own healthy food and thus achieve food security while positively interacting with their new community. Since 2018, we have helped multiple families grow tens of thousands of pounds of healthy food and are leasing four acres to multiple families in 2022. Many of these individuals come from a farming background, so this program allows them to continue practicing their traditional vocation while interacting with their neighbors.
2. Young Farmer Incubator- The average age of a farmer in the U.S. is almost 60, so we need more young farmers to get involved! In the ReGen Roots Young Farmer Incubator program, we provide land, resources, and business guidance to young farming entrepreneurs to start their own local businesses where healthy food is sold to the local community. In 2022, we will be mentoring two young farming businesses and are excited to continue mentoring the next generation of farmers.
3. High-School Summer Internship- Since 2017, ReGen Roots has held a sustainable agriculture summer internship where students learn a variety of lessons at the community through hands-on experiences. Lessons include soil fertility, greenhouse production, aquaponics/hydroponics, the importance of local food systems, etc.
4. Community/Educational Events- Multiple community/educational events are held annually where hundreds of members of the community are able to learn about the importance of local agriculture/food systems while getting their hands dirty for a good cause.
5. Healthy Food Donations- The only requirement for refugee community farmers and young entrepreneurs to utilize space at the ReGen Roots Community Farms is that 10% of their harvest must be donated to organizations dealing with food insecurity such as the Nashua Children's Home and the Nahua Soup Kitchen. Since 2017, we have donated thousands of pounds of healthy food to these organizations. Farm to School Program- The mission of the ReGen Roots Farm to School program is to promote healthy eating and civic engagement through the development of educational school gardens, spring-fall gardening series, and generally incorporating associated programming with interested educators. Since 2017, hundreds of students have been positively influenced through programming at Nashua High North, Nashua High South, and Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH. ReGen's Community Corner- Located at 191 West Hollis St. in Nashua, ReGen's Community Corner sells food and art products from local vendors such as honey, maple syrup, spices, jams, etc. We will also be selling edible perennial plants such as apples and pear trees along with blueberry bushes. Please reach out if you have any thoughts or otherwise want to get involved!
