New Roots Cooperative Farm
New Roots Cooperative Farm
Marginalized Communities
Worker cooperatives can make business ownership possible for those historically and intentionally left out of the economy and entrepreneurship, such as immigrants, refugees, women and individuals impacted by the justice system.
Example: New Roots Cooperative Farm
Four Somali Bantu farmers came together in Lewiston, Maine, to create a worker-owned farm cooperative. The farm co-op has provided a bridge from farmer’s traditional farming activities in Somalia to actively participating in the farming community giving an opportunity for refugees to settle down, become socially integrated, and make a living.
Here is a link to a podcast with US Federation of Worker Cooperatives on Worker-owned farm co-ops introducing 3 examples: Humble Hands Harvest, Rock Steady Farm & Flowers (an LGBTQIA+ owned and operated farm), and Pioneer Workers Valley Center (immigrant worker run).
Our Harvest is a multi-stakeholder, worker-owned cooperative farm and food hub based on the Mondragon model.