LSI’s Global Greens agriculture program is celebrating 10 years of empowering former refugee and immigrant farmers in central Iowa. The program, provided through LSI Refugee and Immigrant Services, reconnects farmers with the land as they build a new life in the U.S.

Through Global Greens, farmers access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture, and start their own businesses by selling produce at the Global Greens Farmers Market and through LSI’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

Global Greens recently celebrated the landmark anniversary at the farmers market, which is held on LSI’s Des Moines campus every Saturday during the summer. Take a look at some of the photos taken from the celebration!

Providing Food Security for Iowa Families

Global Greens farmers are able to grow a variety of both favorite Iowa vegetables and traditional produce from their home countries. With a wide range of food available, the farmers market brings in customers from across the country. In 2020, the market welcomed customers from as far away as Kansas, Kentucky, and New York. It also provided food security to hundreds of community members during the pandemic, with more than $160,000 worth of produce purchased by individuals using SNAP benefits and getting those benefits matched through the Double Up Food Bucks program.