Introductions
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
The women surprised us, appearing at Rosewood Park wearing traditional dress.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
The July heat was tough, but everyone had a great time. Neighborhood kids joined the tour.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Andrew Young helped the Women’s Learning Group organize the tour.
Gardens
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Lush food garden at the height of the season. Right foreground: papaya grown for its leaves.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Vegetable gardens on Westside Drive. One woman is growing rice
harvested last year at NCAT’s demonstration farm.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
These college-bound kids joined the tour and helped explain some of the plants.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
The tour was planned as a way to share mutual interests in food and gardening.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Persimmons grow in the far background. The purple leaf plant is perilla, good for soups and salad.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Americans are interested in food and culture. The women are most interested in
practicing English. The result: Garden and food tours to bring the two groups together.
Spring Rolls: Behind The Scenes
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Making Spring Rolls
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
The women prepared spring rolls with shrimp and a vegetarian version.
Bon Apetit!
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
With the demonstration finished, the ladies readied the tables for everyone to sample and eat.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
We were the privileged guests at the house of Ama Hoanh and Ami Hoanh.
 |
| Photo: Betsy Renfrew |
Goat Lady Dairy’s CSA farm manager, Daniel Woodham, was once ESOL director at Montagnard Dega Association, and maintains close ties to the community. Proactive efforts to bring together refugee communities and Americans to share common interests (food, gardens, agriculture, sustainability) can lead to more durable and meaningful relationships.
