Ohio City farm: Organic acres under city lights

CLEVELAND - The farmers are from Rwanda, Burundi, Burma and Bhutan.

The farm is just off West 25th Street at Bridge Avenue in Ohio City on Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority property.

The Ohio City farm is a collaboration aimed at creating economic, educational and environmentally responsible development.

The land being used borders the Riverview Tower public housing project. CMHA demolished townhomes on the property ten years ago and recent soil tests showed the site to be contaminant free.

The Refugee Response - a non-profit organization serving the worlds refugees - has signed on to the project, providing dozens of workers.  Many of the farmhands are immigrant refugees with agricultural backgrounds in their native countries.

Farm manager James Hamilton told NewsChannel5 the refugees are eager and tireless workers.

Although the project got a late start for this growing season, many plants were started weeks ago in a greenhouse and are now being transplanted.

Some harvest is expected to begin in about six weeks and organizers say other crops will be grown well into the fall.

Half of thier products will be used by the Great Lakes Brewery and they hope to sell the other half at area farmer's markets.

Paul Neundorfer of the Refugee Response said the farm is in need of various agricultural equipment.  Anyone willing to donate is asked to contact the Refugee Response.

Here is a link to the Refugee Response website .