The "Back to the Roots" program is a transformative six-month journey that aims to reconnect Asian migrant communities in Whangarei with their cultural foods, myths, and stories. Joining this program is completely free, and if selected, participants will receive a stipend of $2,000 each. Only three participants will be chosen to take part in collaborative working sessions held at a hub in Kamo. These sessions will involve activities such as storytelling, planting, harvesting, and cooking. Apart from financial assistance, participants will be provided with support and seeds to start cultivating their own gardens using agroecological methods. The program emphasises community healing and reimagining our food systems, with the abundance of produce shared among the group and Food Rescue Northland. The journey will be documented through multimedia, culminating in a community exhibition showcasing the gardens, cultural stories, and a feast, celebrating Asian food traditions.
HOW TO APPLY
Please fill out this application form when applying as an individual, or this form when applying as a group. Submit your application on or before July 21, 2023. Please note that you will need a Gmail account to complete the application. For any issues, email us at cultivate@soilofcultures.com.
IMPORTANT DATES
July 21, 2023: Applications close, 11:59 pm
August 7, 2023: Announcement of Participants
September 4, 2023: Program Kick-off
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The three selected Back to the Roots participants will each receive a $2,000 stipend, seeds, mentorship, and support from the group. They can use our garden at Kamo or Maunu Community Gardens for growing space.
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Participants are expected to dedicate a minimum of 2-3 hours per month for in-person working sessions and manage their own time for garden cultivation. They need to provide consent for documentation of gardens, photos, videos, and stories for social media, impact reports, media, and the community exhibition.
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Back to the Roots is a 6-month program starting on September 4, 2023, and ending on March 31, 2024.
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Individuals or groups identifying as Asian, aged 18 and above, and residing in Whangarei can apply. No minimum experience is required for growing food, but a passion for food sovereignty and ecological justice is important. Groups of up to three people are welcome, and each group will receive a stipend of $2,000.
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Currently, the program is focused on Asian migrants in Whangarei. Updates on possible expansion to other regions will be announced on our social media account.
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The program is currently supported through the Asian Artists' Fund grant by Foundation North, so applications are limited to Asian migrants. Future programs may include other ethnicities, and updates will be shared on our social media account.
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Applications will be reviewed by our team based on criteria such as alignment with Soil of Cultures' mission, community involvement and impact, and the need for financial and support assistance.