Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment, Inc.

Syracuse, New York Is a Refugee Resettlement Community, and Has Received Nearly 3,327 Refugees Between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2018. the Primary Countries of Origin Include Somalia, Bhutan, Burma, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, With 27 Additional Countries Represented. Syracuse, Ny Is a Temperate Climate With Warm, Humid Summers and Long Cold Winters With Over 100 Inches of Snow on Average Per Year. Goat Meat Has Been a Staple for Protein Among Eastern Ethnic Communities for Centuries. Syracuse Has an Abundant Supply of Dairy Goats for Cheese Making, But Not for Meat Consumption. the Nearest Available Goat Meat Farm That Allows Self-butcher and the Use of Snap Benefits Is 40 Miles Northwest of Syracuse. the Demand for Goat Meat Near Syracuse, Ny Has Increased Over the Past 10 Years in Correlation With the Rise of the Refugee Population. However, the Supply for Goat Meat Has Not Been Able to Accommodate for the Demand. Barriers Such as Limited English-proficiency, Climatic Conditions, Limited Water Access, and Complicated Bureaucracy Are Impediments to More Refugees Taking Advantage of Land Available for Livestock Such as Goats as a Means of Self-sufficiency and Enrichment. Through the Matthew 25 Goat Farm Project, the Organization Refugee and Immigrant Self-empowerment in Partnership With Matthew 25 Farm Will Provide 200 Refugee Families in Syracuse, Ny With Fresh Goat Meat, and Provide Eight to Thirty Refugees With Food Safety, Nutrition, Farm Safety, Goat Husbandry, Financial Literacy, Tax Preparation, and Business Planning Classes. Two Refugees Will Be Trained and Hired to Become Farm Operation Manager Trainees and One Will Become the Farm Operation Manager at the End of Year Four to Take Over the Goat Meat Farm Located on Matthew 25 Farm in Tully, Ny. the Other Trainee Will Stay on to Become the Farm Operations Manager Assistant. a Previous Dairy Barn Will Be Renovated to Accommodate Up to 200 Goats and a Heated and Sanitary Processing Room Will Be Added for Self-butcher. Ebt Machines Will Be Acquired to Accommodate Those Who Need to Use Snap Benefits. M25GF Will Address the Limited Access to Culturally Appropriate and Affordable Foods for Refugees Entering Syracuse; Meet the Food Needs of Low-income Individuals Through Improving Access to Food as Part of a Comprehensive Service; Increase the Self-reliance of Communities in Providing for the Food Needs of the Refugee Communities; Promote Comprehensive Responses to Local Food Access, Farm, and Nutrition Issues; Meet Specific State, Local, and Neighborhood Food and Agricultural Needs Including Needs Relating to: Equipment Necessary for the Efficient Operation of a Project and Planning for Long Term Solutions.