WeRadiate Cultivates Healthy Soil at Refugee-Led Brewster St. Urban Farm
Located near the Tri-Main building in Buffalo, NY, Brewster St. Farm is a small urban farm operated by Journey’s End Refugee Services. Since 2020, WeRadiate has been working alongside Journey’s End to offer hands-on workshops and data to aid farmers in boosting the health of their soil and, subsequently, their productivity.
At Brewster St. Farm, refugee farmers grow fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers sold weekly from June to October every year. The farm is situated in a food desert where access to healthy food can be challenging for many community members. Refugee farmers take home produce for their families and sell it at local markets through their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which accepts food stamps to increase access for displaced and disadvantaged families.
As part of their partnership, WeRadiate recently hosted a workshop on soil health and its role in growing healthy food. Sashti Balasundaram, founder & CEO of WeRadiate, guided refugee farmers on using pH tests to check soil acidity and evaluate its health. He guided them through the different types of produce and their varying acidity preferences for optimal growth. Using farm resources, he shared tips to adjust pH levels within desired ranges for each crop. The refugee farmers quickly identified challenges in specific crop cultivation and tested pH levels across the farm. Sashti also assisted them in collecting soil samples for analysis at a third-party testing facility for further soil health assessment.
Jennifer Taylor, program manager of the farm, emphasized the opportunity for refugee farmers to learn agricultural, business, and marketing skills through WeRadiate workshops, empowering them and others beyond Brewster St. “WeRadiate has helped our small farm reduce waste and move closer to self-sufficiency. Managing a farm needs a lot of skills, which the farmers may not be equipped with. WeRadiate’s expertise and data elevate their skills and experience of working here,” remarked Lauren Dawes, former program manager at Journey’s End.
Another successful workshop conducted by WeRadiate focused on recycling farm waste into compost and its use as a natural fertilizer. Sashti discussed challenges with the passive compost system and provided WeRadiate technology options and suggestions for ongoing success. Farmers now regularly compost to reduce farm waste and enrich soil with essential nutrients. WeRadiate continues to support the farm in ensuring the compost pile processes effective. Temperature and relative humidity data via a dashboard are available to them even on the days they don’t visit the farm.
After conversations with Nepalese refugee farmers through an interpreter, it's clear they value the knowledge gained from working at Brewster St. Farm and from WeRadiate's support. “Workshops like today’s with Sashti are crucial for understanding soil quality and optimal pH levels for different vegetables and plants. We enjoy working here because we learn new skills and also get to spend time with friends. It provides us with both physical and mental benefits,” expressed in a translated statement by the Brewster St. farmer lead.
As part of their initiative to support farms and communities in fostering independent ecosystems, WeRadiate aims to continue and expand this work. With many refugees displaced globally and climate change affecting food access and equity, Brewster St. Farm serves as a model for supporting disadvantaged communities.
WeRadiate takes pride in contributing expertise, data, and technology to farms such as Brewster St. Farm, fostering green job creation and economic opportunities. Successful urban and small farms play a pivotal role in improving community access to fresh, healthy food. Furthermore, farms with effective composting systems contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing waste and sequestering carbon. Through WeRadiate’s support, farmers can enhance soil health, productivity, and profitability, driving positive change one farm at a time.
About WeRadiate LLC
WeRadiate LLC is a climate tech company empowering low-income groups, farmers, ranchers, and organic recyclers to profitably engage in organic recycling. Their solution detects early risks, enhances production volume, and streamlines process efficiencies. Customers create premium fertilizers and soil blends onsite or for distribution, promoting soil fertility, nutritious foods, and environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving carbon sequestration. Their offering includes a software platform, hardware sensors, data analytics, and knowledge services.
About Journey’s End Refugee Services
Journey’s End aims to welcome refugees and help them become healthy, independent, and contributing community members. They provide refugees with the resources and support to become successful members of the Western New York community. They value ongoing learning along with integrity, empowerment, and intercultural responsiveness.
Written by Stephanie Forbes
Photographs by Stephanie Forbes
Stephanie Forbes is a Buffalo native and Boston University alumna. She is currently interning with the WeRadiate team, where she leverages her consulting expertise and environmental background to spearhead initiatives in soil revitalization.