SyRAPP Agricultural Program

SyRAPP is a specialized training program for refugees who are interested in launching their own farming businesses or acquiring farmland. Participants engage in a three-year curriculum that includes ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), agriculture, gardening, marketing, and business development. During this time, farmers attend classes in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Brady Farm, and they cultivate individual 1/8 or 1/4 acre plots as part of their hands-on training.

Increasing Self-Sustainability, Decreasing Food Insecurity

Where We Farm

SyRAPP operates through two main components: Community Gardens and the Incubator Farm. One of the biggest challenges refugee farmers face is limited access to land and transportation. To address this, SyRAPP has established two community gardens in close proximity to farmers’ homes on the Northside of Syracuse—located at 120 Seward Street and 2033/2035 Lodi Street. The Lodi Street Garden also functions as a Farmer’s Market, giving farmers valuable experience in selling produce directly to consumers.

In addition, participants have access to an Incubator Farm at Salt City Harvest Farm in Kirkville, NY. Here, they manage individual 1/8 or 1/4 acre plots, allowing them to increase their production capacity and experiment with specialty crops from their home countries to evaluate how well they grow in the Central New York climate.

How Can I Support SyRAPP?

If SyRAPP is a program you’d like to support, please reach out to SyRAPP Program Director Brandy Colebrook at info@syracuserise.org. There are many ways to get involved—from volunteering to donating. Your support helps grow opportunities for refugee farmers and strengthens food security in our community.