Earlier this month, the farmers from the New Roots farm in Moorhead, Minnesota discovered that their vegetable crops were severely damaged from pesticides that drifted from an adjacent farmer’s field. New Roots is an incubator farm that supports 16 beginning farmers, many of whom are immigrants and refugees, to access land to grow crops to sell at local markets. The farm uses organic practices (including no herbicides or pesticides) and provides critical income and culturally appropriate food to the farmers and their families. We are all devastated.
To be clear, we have not started this campaign (which is being sponsored through the West Central Initiative Foundation) to point fingers or shame other farmers. We know that conventional farmers have also had many challenges this year, and we do not feel this incident occurred through malintent. We are calling out to others who share our belief in a regenerative food system that is inclusive of all farmers. Can you take a stand with this tenacious group of farmers, who have faced many struggles – from flooded fields to soil contamination - in their three years of searching for a safe and secure place to raise vegetables?
The vegetable crops are showing signs of chemical burn - curling leaves, stunted growth, yellow and brown coloration. One farmer, Caliton, described feeling “heartbroken for a second time, after the repeated chemical trespassing killed the remaining beans and onions.” Many, if not all, of the crops will need to be replanted. All of the tomatoes are ruined, and we are waiting on test results to know whether the other crops will be safe to eat or sell. We are currently replanting many of our crops and working with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to make certain that only safe produce is brought to market or consumed by our families and community.
Peas, carrots, beans, and many squash are also badly damaged. These photos show pesticide damage to tomatoes, squash, peas, and beans.
In the photos below (taken June 19th), one of our farmers and board members Simeon is standing next to a pile of dead tomato plants that were all severely damaged from the pesticide drift. In total, he had to remove 170 tomato plants from the garden plot he shares with another farmer Emmanuel. Many of these plants were already beginning to bear fruit.
In this video, Simeon describes the damage done to his carrot plants as he begins the process of re-planting the beds.
Help us purchase new plants and compensate each farmer for their crop losses. In northern Minnesota we have a very short growing season, and farmers have already had to nurse struggling plants back to health (and replant in some cases) because of an unusually late spring frost. We would like to provide at least $1000 in compensation to each of the farm families since they likely will not be able to recover financially from the loss, even if the crops get replanted.
These incredible entrepreneurs - three of whom are featured below - have demonstrated great perseverance and innovation in bringing crops like African eggplant and Nepalese squash to the Fargo Moorhead community and in creating new marketing channels, as well as acquiring new skills through running a shared stand at the Red River Market.
NPSAS New Roots Farmer Interview Simeon Bakunda
NPSAS New Roots Farmer Interview Caliton Ntahompa
NPSAS New Roots Farmer Interview Devi Siwakoti
In addition to $16,000 in direct compensation for our New Roots farmers, we are also seeking $10,000 to purchase a trailer and cooler for the farm that will help increase the shelf life of crops and enable farmers to reach more markets. Any funds raised beyond our goal will be split between the farmers (up to an additional $500 each) to purchase needed supplies like new hoses and gardening tools, and any funds beyond that will be put to use by the New Roots board to work toward our long term vision which includes relocating and expanding the farm.
Donations of any size are much appreciated!
- A gift of $20 can help a farmer purchase 5 new tomato plants
- A gift of $50 begins to compensate farmers for lost sales
- A gift of $100 can help compensate farmers for labor and purchase needed supplies like hoses and wheelbarrow
- A gift of $500 helps us establish a cooler on site for when we can bring high quality, lovingly tended vegetables to market again soon.
- A gift of $1000 or more contributes to the long-term vision and expansion of New Roots as a model that can be replicated throughout the region and beyond
Thank you so much for opening your heart to help these farmers. We are so grateful.
The New Root Farm Incubator Board of Directors
Simeon Bakunda, Jason Bergstrand, Noelle Harden, Verna Kragnes,
Caliton Ntahompagaze, Devi Siwakoti, & Amy Rice
New Roots board members and other farmers are pictured below
