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MISSION

World Farmers’ mission is to support small farmers in sustainable agricultural production and successful marketing practices to connect culturally relevant produce to viable markets. World Farmers provides mentoring, training, and hands-on assistance when working with each farmer to build the capacity needed to operate individual farming enterprises. We enact our mission through various initiatives, the most prominent of which is the Flats Mentor Farm program.

Since 1984, Flats Mentor Farm in Lancaster, Massachusetts has provided the space and infrastructure for small immigrant and refugee farmers to get started. The farmers at Flats Mentor Farm produce over 55 acres of ethnic specialty crops; supplying to wholesale and retail markets throughout New England, including over 40 farmers’ markets and dozens of small scale direct-to-consumer outlets in and around Massachusetts. Participating farmers are skilled producers who come from agrarian backgrounds and seek to make a new life for themselves while preserving their cultural identity. In order to contribute to their success in the new culture and climate of the Northeast, World Farmers’ Mentoring Program offers regular trainings in agricultural production, business development, and marketing. All programming is performed in a respectful environment of cross-cultural co-learning among farmers, World Farmers staff, and our interns and volunteers.

Many of the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm have told us that they never believed there would be an opportunity like this when they came to this country: access to land, trainings in new growing practices for this climate, and support in building a business in farming have made a huge impact on their ability to adapt and thrive. Just as important as our programming and services is the simple access to a safe space to learn from their neighbors, feed their families, heal, rebuild their cultural foundations, and teach the next generation all that agriculture can provide.

IMPACT

For the past 30 years, beginning immigrant and refugee farmers have learned about the opportunity to join Flats Mentor Farm solely through farmer-to-farmer word of mouth. The ethnic makeup has changed to reflect patterns of migration over the years: in the mid-90s, there were over 140 Hmong families and just 2 African immigrant farmers working at Flats Mentor Farm. Today, over 250 African farmers have plots at the Flats, while the Hmong population has decreased.

To date, of the over 1,200 farmers who have had plots at Flats Mentor Farm, 30% have gone on to farm their own land, 60% of whom are women. These independent farmers have established their operations across the country, from North Carolina to California.

In 1999, Flats Mentor Farm was identified as a national model by USDA and has served as a model for many beginning farmer programs nationally.

IN THE NEWS

World Farmers’ programs and and farmers have been featured in many articles over the decades.

These articles highlight our dedication to implementing a program that works with each farmer as an individual, support the success of their independent enterprises, and weave a new social fabric. Ultimately, we know that it is the farmer’s willingness to learn and passion for farming that is the true secret to success in this program.

2023

Help sought for farmers flooded out - ClintonItem.com, August 3, 2023

Gov. Healey surveys flooded farm in Lancaster - NBCBoston.com, July 20, 2023

2021

2020

Health inside the box - Telegram & Gazette, August 21, 2020
Kenyan farmers' American Dream - Mail Guardian, August 21, 2020
Announcing the Winners of the Sustainable Business of the Year Awards 2020! - Sustainable Business Network, March 26, 2020

2019

Still the Land of Opportunity - Fifty Plus Advocate, July 1, 2019
Lancaster farm founder part of Tower Hill exhibit - The Item, March 3, 2019

2018

Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts announces Activation Fund grants - Telegram & Gazette, November 28, 2018

Outstanding in Her Field - Outstanding in Her Field - Edible Boston, November 2018

Lancaster farm nonprofit grows with land buy - Sentinel & Enterprise, May 5, 2018

Crop of immigrant farmers thrives in Lancaster  - Telegram & Gazette, May 2, 2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Burundi Woman Models Future of Farming in Lancaster - WBUR, July 29, 2014

Land and Opportunity – A Life in Agriculture - Obama White House, August 4, 2014

Sunday Sit-down: Fabiola Nizigiyimana - Worcester Telegram, August 17, 2014

2013

2010

2011

2008

Women in Agriculture - Small Farm Digest, 2008

2007

New England Farmers meet Immigrant Needs - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2007

2005

1998

U.S Officials see farm as model - Telegram & Gazette, 1998

Disclamer: World Farmers is not an incorporated educational institution. We do not have the authority to grant certificates, diplomas, or any other federally-recognized proof of qualifications. We are not a federally-approved lending institution, and as such do not provide grants, loans, or other direct monetary or financial support.

GALLERY | 2018 World Farmers Gala

Photos by Emily Joy Ashman • www.tritownproductions.com

Annual Reports

Resources

VIDEOS

Video courtesy of the World Witness Project

TRAINING VIDEOS

World Farmers staff and the farmers at Flats Mentor Farm are committed to following food safety protocols throughout production, packaging, and distribution of our crops.

Purslane - Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling

Purslane - Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling was produced at Flats Mentor Farm, a program of World Farmers. This video is meant to inform and guide mentee farmers at the Flats Mentor Farm on the crop Purslane, and is translated into Hmong, Spanish, and Swahili to mirror the demographics of our farmers and the populations they serve. We hope this resource will be useful to farmers producing similar crops. Purslane is a succulent leafy green used in many Mediterranean and Latino cuisines. Native to Asia it has been adapted by many cultures across the globe.

ENGLISH VERSION
SPANISH VERSION

OTHER RESOURCES