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Our Story
Welcome to Fresh Start Farms
Fresh Start Farms is a collective brand for immigrant and refugee farmers participating in the New American Sustainable Agriculture Program, a program of the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success. We work alongside new American farmers to bring farm-fresh ingredients to your table via neighborhood farmers markets and stands, wholesale, and our FarmShare and Fresh Start Market.
Beginning in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fresh Start Farms began to work with other producers and local food hubs from across northern New England to expand product offerings and to provide access to fresh local foods year-round.
Our Farm to Your Table with FarmShare CSA
Check out a video from
our crowdfunding
campaign in 2016.
Spoiler alert:We bought the Farm!
Play Video
Twenty-three new American farmers make up Fresh Start Farms. Nine farmers are part of the New American Farmers Co-op and grow at Our Farm on Story Hill in Dunbarton, NH. An additional 14 farmers, the Umoja Farmers, grow on land at the St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH.
Languages We Speak
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Countries We Represent
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Varieties of ProduceWe Grow
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All producers in the Fresh Start Farms collective implement organic practices. While not certified organic, the farmers grow nutrient-dense produce without chemicals and in a way that promotes healthy soil, habitat, and environment.
Modeled off the success of a pilot program tested in Portland, Maine, Fresh Start Farms was formed in 2011 and is now a recognized brand for quality, affordable, and culturally appropriate food throughout southern NH.
New American Farmers Cooperative
The New American Farmers Cooperative organized themselves cooperatively in 2016 in order to achieve their collective goals of increased self-sufficiency, efficiency, viability, and long-term sustainability of their farm businesses. The member-farmers represent the Somali-Bantu and Congolese communities and bring rich agricultural experience from both their countries of origin as well as the experience gained while farming in the United States and participating in ORIS’ New American Sustainable Agriculture Program. The New American Farmers Cooperative’s plots are located in Dunbarton, NH.
UMOJA Farmers
Umoja Farmers organized themselves cooperatively in 2017. Umoja signifies togetherness or unity in Swahili. Umoja Farmers represent the Congolese, Burundi, and Rwandan communities. Their plots are located in Concord, NH.
