Opening Event of our IRC farm and a TEDx Talk!
A wonderful crowd came out to the farm this week in honor of World Refugee Day and the ribbon cutting ceremony for our newest Box, “Karma" with the International Rescue Committee! We were joined by all five of Sacramento’s refugee resettlement agencies, local elected officials, community partners, and supporters who #standwithrefugees!
The event kicked off with farm tours, food and drink, welcoming speeches from partners, including the Mayor of West Sacramento, Chris Cabaldon, who celebrated the IRC’s New Roots program and the innovation that Farm from a Box brings in strengthening local food production!
For many, it was the first time that they have had the opportunity to see one of our units in action! From the renewable energy system and the drip irrigation, to the connectivity and IoT Data Controller- “Karma” was a hit! With the temperature reaching a blazing 107 degrees on the farm, the favorite part of the farm tour was the crisp, cool 40 degree internal cold storage unit!
The value of that addition was so clear, as anyone could see how crops grown in that kind of heat would be lost immediately after harvest. In fact, a lack of cold chain and storage is one of the biggest problems faced by farmers, so including solar-powered cold storage a part of our system can significantly help reduce post-harvest losses!
The IRC’s Kuchenu farm is brilliant example of how urban farming can support economic development of resettled refugees and strengthen local food production at the community level. The word “Kuchenu” is actually a Native American term for “using food as medicine.”
And that is exactly what good food is.
Sacramento is the #1 city in America for resettlement of refugees and SIVs. In 2016, Sacramento welcomed over 3,400 refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders who served alongside U.S. forces. This is one of many reasons that we are honored to be working in the city of West Sacramento and with the IRC.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you that came out to join us! It was wonderful to meet you face-to-face and show you the system and what it enables! If you were unable to make it out to the Opening, we will have more events in the future and look forward to showcasing “Karma” and the IRC’s Kuchenu farm!
...but wait... there's more...
Farm from a Box did a TEDx Talk!
Just this past Friday, June 16th, we participated in TEDx Ogden, in Utah! TEDx Ogden is an independently organized event that brings local people together through thought-provoking speakers and mind-blowing conversation.
"HOW TOGETHERNESS & TECHNOLOGY CAN TRANSFORM OUR WORLD"
In this talk, we look at how using technology can strengthen local, community-based food production, and how togetherness is the bonding agent that can revitalize rural communities throughout the world, leading to greater resilience and prosperity.
The video should be released shortly, and we will be sure to share!
Thank you all for investing in our growth and for your support,
Brandi, Scott, and Team Farm from a Box!