If you’ve been to Boise’s Capital City Public Market, you’ve probably seen Abdi Haji of Umoja Na Uhuru World Farm. A refugee from Somalia, Abdi has been growing organic vegetables in the Treasure Valley since 2006, first with the Somali Bantu Community Farm in Eagle, then through Global Gardens, a program of the Idaho Office for Refugees. When Abdi decided to start his own entrepreneurial agricultural venture, he contacted EO for help. EO worked with Abdi to help him develop a business plan and to set some achievable goals. With a workable plan in place, EO approved Abdi for a small-business loan to launch World Farm and another to expand his operations the following season. EO also arranged for Abdi to partner with design students at Boise State University, who developed an identity for his business as beautiful as the produce he grows. Abdi was honored with a 2012 “Dividends for Diversity” award.
Abdi Haji – Umoja Na Uhuru World Farm
