The Refugee Collective Farm

The Refugee Collective farm offers training and employment to refugee farmers, as well as culturally desired food access to the refugee community. The 20-acre farm implements a Resilient Farm Plan, the first of its kind in Texas, to enrich the farming ecosystem while drawing down carbon from the atmosphere. In addition to organic vegetables that are both USDA and Real Organic Project certified, the farm rotates a flock of 150 laying hens through the fields for certified organic egg production, while also boosting soil fertility and suppressing weeds and pests.

The Refugee Collective's "Farm to Fiber" line of products combine Texas grown organic cotton with natural dyes grown on the farm to create fully traceable textile products. A Pantry Line is also offered, utilizing ingredients grown on the farm and inspired by the cuisines of refugee team members. Please visit the Refugee Collective's website to learn about volunteer opportunities, joining the CSA, or to shop the online store!

Technical Assistance Areas of Expertise:
-Business development
-Business planning
-Crop production
-Supply chain management, coordination, and distribution
-Regulatory compliance & policy advocacy
-Farmworker support

The Refugee Collective trains refugee farmers in production-scale regenerative agriculture techniques on their farm. The food they grow is distributed to refugee communities free of charge. They offer a 1-year Community Farmer Program, which is free, with the opportunity to start their own farming businesses through the ongoing Farm Business Incubator Program or the Community Garden Program. The Incubator Farmer Program is $50 per 100 ft bed with a maximum of 5 beds per season. Fall programming recruitment occurs in June & July, and spring season recruitment takes place in November & December. In the first year of the program, 23 refugee Community Farmers distributed 18,000 lbs of produce and earned a combined total of $65,000 in supplemental income.

Services are provided in the following languages: English, Spanish, Pashto, Swahili, French, Burmese, Kinyarwanda, Nepali. Services are available in the Travis and Bastrop areas.

If you would like to learn more about their Community Farmer Program, you can e-mail their Wendy Rucci at wendy@therefugeecollective.org.

Growing Practices

• Permaculture

Certifications

• Real Organic Project
• USDA Certified Organic

Products

• Eggs
• Herbs
• Vegetables