- Jul 15
- 2 min read
The blood of a farmer flows through Vanasius Nyuchem's veins. Growing up in southern Cameroon he grew plantain and vegetables to provide funds for school. When the money for school ran out, he'd return to the farm to start the process again. The joy of educational achievement quickly soured amid the country's political violence. "When I think about it," Vanasius reflected with tears in his eyes, "I become traumatized."
Vanasius came to America to find safety, landing in Rochester to utilize his training as a Phlebotomy Technician. He came with nothing, sleeping on the floor, and longed for a connection to the land. "When you get in contact with the soil and skin," he shared , "It is good." He missed the greens that provided a staple of his West African diet.
That's when Vanasius connected with The Village Agricultural Cooperative (www.rochvillage.org) in Rochester. He received a plot of land at one of their local 'farms' at Rochester Covenant Church. "I like to eat something I grow by myself," he shared. "I know what I planted and I know what I did with it. I do organic farming." His diet soon included sweet bitter leaf, am extremely healthy green not well known in Minnesota but plentiful in Cameroon.
Initially Vanasius supplemented his own diet, but "when I saw that it was so much it started giving it away." Even as he sells some produce through the Village Global Farmer's Markets, much of what he grows goes to friends, neighbors, and the Rochester community through Channel One. His wife and children joined him in Rochester after their own immigration journey, allowing him to teach his children the joy of working the land. "That's how the angels in heaven are rejoicing to me."
Vanasius now farms part of a new 3 acre parcel provided to the Village by People of Hope Lutheran Church. Local churches and organizations share land for people like Vanas
ius to turn into productive cropland. Rochester, the state of Minnesota, and local agencies provide grants. Supporters provide funds. All that generosity enables The Village to allow families to grow, eat, share, and sell culturally appropriate foods, ensuring a local, healthy source of nutrition. People like Vanasius experience the impact. Thank you to all who have a hand in making it possible.