Our roots
Salt City Harvest Farm is a project that links Northside Community members with land that can help sustain them. It started when the Letcher family of Manlius donated 36 acres of farmland along Fyler Road in Kirkville, to be used by people served at the food pantry at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, 812 N. Salina St. The idea is that families would be able to help work the land, growing vegetables and other produce. They plant, weed, water—and then take home some of the harvest.
This mission evolved when members of the Syracuse Northside community started to volunteer at the farm. Refugees new to the country often find it hard to acquire fresh produce specific to their home countries. The Letcher family and organizers saw this as an opportunity to assist a community that would otherwise be overlooked.
Salt City Harvest Farm is proud to be running a community farm, incubator farm, apple orchard and vineyard. Community members and volunteers help out within all parts of this ecosystem which provides a wide range of agricultural skills specific to the Northeast United States.
Our vision
Salt City Harvest Farm serves as bridge for New Americans as they adjust to their new surroundings, language, and culture. The cultivation of culturally-appropriate foods helps New Americans maintain their cultural identity and heritage in an unfamiliar environment. We work to transform the Central New York (CNY) community by creating opportunities with New Americans to grow foods precious to their traditions and bring together cultures from around the world to the benefit of all CNY.
Our journey
2012
Breaking ground
A community garden is formed at the farm to help food-insecure Syracuse Residents.
2013
Sowing new seeds
A group of organizations collaborate to establish Salt City Harvest Farm. Over 40 New Americans help tend the land.
2015
Settling in
A bus is donated for transporting volunteers to the farm. The farm expands to add more growing space and an orchard.
2016
Establishment
SCHF becomes a 501(c)(3). SCHF partners with RISE (Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment) to start the SyRAP program and provides education for New Americans to learn agricultural skills on their own plots.
2018
Reaching out
The farmers in the SyRAP program begin selling produce at the CNY Regional Market.
The Deaf New American Community begins growing at the farm.
2020
Increasing Capacity
SCHF receives funding from the Chobani Impact Fund to increase infrastructure and marketing capacity. SCHF hires their first full-time employee. SCHF receives funding from Gifford Foundation and begins a strategic planning process.
2021
Building for the future
Construction of the Community Pavilion begins, providing a space for farmers to gather, wash & store crops, and get out of the summer sun.
2022
Reimagining the possibilities
SCHF selected for the “Design for Good” workshop through Syracuse University. SCHF delves deeper into envisioning the future possibilities.
Annual Reports
We're thankful for everyone who has shaped Salt City Harvest Farm into what it is today. The future is full of promise and potential. We look forward to what the future presents.
See below for our annual reports.