How a Melbourne community farm is reconnecting African migrants to their agricultural roots
In short: For many migrants, moving to a new country means losing their lifelong connection to the soil. Thuch Ajak, a South Sudanese refugee, is changing that. By founding the United African Farm, he has created a vital space where culture, tradition, and community converge through the shared act of growing food.
Thuch Ajak’s journey to founding the United African Farm began with his own displacement. Born in South Sudan, he spent time in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya before returning home in 2006 to study agriculture. When conflict reignited in 2013, he eventually relocated to Australia in 2015. Finding entry into the local agricultural sector difficult, he began volunteering at Joe’s Market Garden at CERES to build networks, eventually starting a garden in his own backyard in Melbourne’s west.
It was in his backyard that he met Mama Queyea Tuazama, a community leader whose traditional knowledge complemented his own. Together, they established the United African Farm on a one-hectare plot. The site is split into two distinct zones: a community space designed for festivals and gatherings, and a productive food-growing area. This project serves as a crucial meeting point for people from across Africa, helping them reclaim the farming practices that were central to their lives before migration.
Adapting to Melbourne’s climate has been a significant challenge. Coming from a fertile, tropical environment where seeds germinate quickly, Ajak has had to adjust to a much slower pace, often waiting eight weeks for seedlings to develop. Furthermore, the farm utilizes raised beds to overcome the difficulties of low-lying clay soil and to ensure accessibility for elderly community members. Beyond the harvest, the farm serves a deeper purpose: reconnecting younger, urban-raised community members with their cultural heritage and the land itself.
The project highlights the resilience of displaced people and the importance of land as a unifying force. By navigating the complexities of a new climate and soil type, the community is not just growing food; they are preserving traditional agricultural knowledge and fostering a sense of belonging. Through this initiative, Ajak continues to bridge the gap between his past in South Sudan and his present in Australia, ensuring that the connection to the earth remains unbroken.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A community farm connecting cultures through food | My Garden Path | Gardening Australia
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