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English/Nat They came to New England from distant South East Asia and created the second largest Cambodian community in the United States. But for some of the Cambodians who settled in Lowell, Massachusetts, jobs and a fresh start in life were not enough. Now a new program is allowing these former farmers to keep alive the skills they brought with them from their own land, while bringing a little bit of Cambodia to the Massachusetts countryside. The streets of Lowell, Massachusetts look like any other New England town. But a closer look reveals a city with the second largest Cambodian community in America. These immigrants from South East Asia came looking for a better life. Escaping the wars and political persecution they'd fled, they found jobs and a fresh start, but for many something was missing. SOUNDBITE: "Many Cambodians were from the farming area, so they have lots of farming skills but they couldn't use it. So we had to figure out a way to get Cambodian community involved to help better the neighborhood at the same time provide some sort of income and also at the same time allow people to use their skills." SUPER CAPTION: Sothea Chiemruom, Cambodian Community Activist That need became this, a few acres of land in nearby New Hampshire, donated to the Cambodian community by local farmers. On this land, the former farmers can keep alive the skills they developed back home. The Cambodian farmers grow vegetables native to South East Asia, then sell them at market for a small profit. But there were some difficulties to overcome. There's a big difference between farming in New England and farming in Cambodia. SOUNDBITE: The weather is different. The climate is different. And also, you know, different insects, the bugs, that you don't maybe not find there but find here. So you have to be careful when to grow, you know, those technical things." SUPER CAPTION: Sothea Chiemruom But the farmers don't seem to mind the problems, tending to their fields with the care of years of experience. But these farms aren't only a source of income. They also represent an important link to home in a new country that many are still adjusting to. SOUNDBITE: (Khmer with English translation) "I farm here because it's something that I know how to do. It's a skill that I have. To farm and plant. Although I planted mainly rice, I also planted vegetables. This is an opportunity for me to stay happy rather than sitting at home getting bored and missing the old country." SUPER CAPTION: Chan Caum (Kawm), Immigrant Farmer For the Cambodians, these farm plots offer a small taste of a homeland left but not forgotten. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2b0e96e8e3ac5e76a397654826c34e75 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork