PART 2: The Wei family applied to the US through a refugee resettlement program, which was a long and arduous process, but were finally accepted and relocated to South Carolina in 2006.

Due to a lack of job stability, they moved to Chapel Hill only 7 months later, where Lion was able to a secure permanent position working as a janitor at UNC. In 2009, they heard about an organization called Transplanting Traditions Community Farm that was helping Karen refugees adjust and deal with food insecurity within their community. They started talking and became members of the organization. Over the years, Transplanting Traditions expanded their role in the Karen community and began offering other programming, including adapting the farming skills of their members to the very different climate of North Carolina. They learned how to adjust their practices to grow some of their staple asian crops, as well as how to grow classic southern american crops that have been bred for our climate and soil conditions. In 2011, Zar Ree and Lion started Ternawtheri Family Farm. They had a mere 2 CSA members. Over the last 15 years, with the help of Transplanting Traditions, they have grown to over 50 CSA subscribers and sell at 4 farmers markets throughout the triangle. They did so while raising 6 children. One of those children, Ree Ree, is who you will likely see every week at the Cary Farmers Market. In addition to her role on the farm, she is now the Executive Director of Transplanting Traditions. The Wei family story is what America was built on. People who left a distant land due to terrible circumstances, worked incredibly hard once they arrived, contributed to improving their community, all to give their family a better life. That has been the American tale since our founding...in reality, even before that. Their harrowing story is a clear reminder that although many immigrant stories can start from a place of desperation and mourning, when given the opportunity, they become stories of resilience, community, and success for all involved...especially those lucky enough to eat their food.