Watch Our Garden Grow
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, especially for refugees across the state, who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the fall isn’t bringing much relief from the virus. But autumn does offer one sign of prosperity and comfort: an abundant harvest in our community garden.
In 2016, EMBARC broke ground on this community garden in Waterloo with a simple goal: bringing the taste of home to refugees from Burma. This included vegetables like luffa gourd, bitter gourd, Thai pepper, long beans (Green and Red), and Thai eggplant.
At first, cultivation was more difficult than we expected. Iowa’s planting season is much shorter than Burma’s, where temperatures are considerably warmer year-round. We had to get creative to raise crops that normally have a much longer growing season. We ended up germinating the seeds indoors while the ground was still too cold for planting, then transplanting them when the weather warmed.
The success of our community garden would not have been possible without skilled refugee gardeners like Victoria. Not only does she spend most of her free time in the community garden, she also sells the produce at the Waterloo farmer’s market—intentionally building relationships with refugees from Burma that have recently settled in the area.
“As the garden has grown physically over the years, so has its reach and impact. We started the garden as a simple way to provide produce that would remind refugees of home. Now it serves as a gathering place where refugees can meet others from the community, make connections, and socialize. ”
The refugee community in Waterloo works together to grow the produce, and they celebrate together at harvest time. Families meet for potlucks of stir fry, rice dishes, and other types of authentic Burmese cuisine—many of which includes vegetables from the garden.
The community garden started as an opportunity to provide for the refugees in Waterloo. Now it serves as the emotional heart of the community, positively impacting the lives of countless individuals and families.
The garden continues to grow, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us next.
More Photos from the garden
Want to share your time and skills to refugees in your community? Check out volunteer opportunities with EMBARC.