Asawana Farms

12/04/2024

Check your garage and tool sheds to ensure this Roundup is not there. If it is, take it out a dump it far far away. Share this information with friends and family, particularly those abroad.

12/03/2024

It’s important to set boundaries in any profession, but particularly as a Black woman farmer in the natural wellness space, I’ve had to learn to prioritize my peace and energy. When people ask me, “How do I get started?” I no longer feel compelled to respond for a few reasons that come down to mutual respect and alignment of effort.

The people whose energy aligns with mine—the ones who truly value not just my time but their own—will have already done some groundwork. They’ve likely Googled the question, taken the initiative to explore the resources I’ve shared, clicked the link in my bio, or even looked at the 250+ videos I’ve made freely available on YouTube. They understand that farming is a journey of self-education, persistence, and respect for the work that goes into it. By the time they come to me, their questions are specific, thoughtful, and informed because they’ve put in the effort. That kind of intentionality shows me they’re serious about this path and not just asking for hand-holding.

As a Black woman, I’m acutely aware of how society often tries to guilt us into overextending ourselves. That "to whom much is given, much is required" scripture gets thrown at me as though I haven’t already poured tremendously into my community. It’s exhausting when people assume that my success means I’m obligated to be everything for everyone, constantly giving without consideration for the toll it takes on me.

But I’ve learned to curate the energy around me intentionally. My peace is sacred, and I’ve accepted that it’s not my job to save or help every single person who crosses my path. That doesn’t make me less generous or less committed to the collective—it makes me human. I give in a way that feels good and brings me joy and I will continue to give in meaningful ways, but on my terms.

If you are an aspiring or beginning farmer, I encourage you to think through these questions:

- Have I done my due diligence before asking for help? (e.g., researched online, explored resources, read or watched available content, etc.)
- Am I asking specific questions that demonstrate my effort and respect for the other person's expertise?
- How do I show gratitude to those who take the time to guide or support me?
- Have I honored my own time and effort by being intentional in my learning journey?

Ultimately, I’ve come to understand that those who genuinely want to grow, learn, and build in this space will respect the time, boundaries, and resources of those who’ve come before them. And when their energy reflects that respect, I’m much more inclined to engage.

Respectfully,
Farmer Cee

PS - I have 250 videos on my Farmer Cee YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/farmercee) documenting my journey in building Green Heffa Farms, lessons learned, mistakes made, etc. I also go live on Sundays at 2PM.

11/27/2024

11/23/24 Talk about a green thumb. Sisters of the Soil Community Farm is hitting the records big time with these sweet potatoes. If you are interested in learning how she does it, drop by at 601 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro. The best time to come volunteer would be spring since that is when preparing the soil starts.

11/27/2024

11/24/24 Tyler, the future farmer from The Nora School and his mom came out again to learn how we clean up at the end of the season. They helped taking out drip tapes and clips in preparation for the spring farming season. No matter where Tyler ends up, he will have the skills and knowledge to grow his own food!!

11/25/2024

I’snt this beautiful? Our efforts are bearing fruits. A youngster who volunteered with us last year, went home with his 5 gallon bucket with a baby kale. See your fresh grown it looked.

11/24/2024

An absolutely stunning video to watch, especially for Africans and farmers.

Ever wondered why African countries are still poor and underdeveloped so many years after colonialism?Well, today Fadhel Kaboub, Associate Professor of econo...

11/21/2024

11/17/2024 a big shout out to Angela, a Montgomery County Public Schools teacher came out to volunteer and learn about growing organic vegetables.

She hopes to bring her students to learn and get them interested growing their own food.

While at the farm, Angela help harvest end of season scotch bonnets and African egg plant leaves can can be used as medicinal herbs.

We are always open to the community to come learn and grow their own organic vegetables. You don’t need to have a big piece of land to grow anything you you. You can use containers or empty rice bags. Come learn how we do it.

11/20/2024

Farmers can dance too. Would you like to learn some of these astonishing moves? Come on down and volunteer at the Urban Farm Incubator and learn some of these moves in between breaks. Great job 𝗦𝗢𝗙𝗚𝗜 farmers.

11/20/2024

Help out AfriThrive

Visit your local Food today and grab a Community Bag to be a part of something bigger!

We’re halfway through our November campaign, and your support has been much appreciated! We're grateful to see our community unite for a cause that matters.

Thanks to everyone who’s already picked up a Giant Food Community Bag, we’re making real progress toward our goal of a thriving community. 💛 But we're not done yet—there’s still time to make an impact!

Each $2.75 bag purchased sends $1 directly to our organization, helping us continue our vital work. Let’s make these next two weeks count! 🛍️✨

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11/20/2024

Howard University Students Learn How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms

11/16/Howard Universityup of students fAsawana Farmsiversity volunteered at Asawana Farms. The students learned to grow oyster mushrooms and how to clean the farm at the end of the harvesting season. The students also had the opportunity to learn how we make our own compost, where, how and when we nurse our seeds, and the crops that are planted in the spring/summer and fall.

They also learned how to harvest sweet potatoes. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step. We shall be able to feed ourselves one day.

11/18/2024

“Once in your lifetime, you may need a doctor, lawyer or preacher, but everyday, 3 times a day, you need a farmer” Future Harvest

11/18/2024

11/16/2024 You never know who you gonna met at Asawana Farms. UM Capital Region Health VP of gov’tal Affairs, Brad, a Howard alum, coincidentally meets Harrison, Marvelous & Elliot, Howard University students volunteering and learning at Asawana Farms.

11/14/2024

11/10/2024 It is sweet potato season. Our great friends and volunteers from Howard University and The Nora School have been consistently coming to learn how to dig sweet potato.

We now have them available for Thanksgiving!! We still have opportunities for community service hours for students as the season draws to a close. Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/0rYpG

11/14/2024

11/9/2024 Sisters of the Soil Community Farm hits the records with a 24’ sweet potato. Congratulations!!

11/14/2024

Exciting News from Asawana Farms – Bitter Leaf

11/13/2024, It is an absolute delight as we see that Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist, Home/Community Food Production and Director, Home & Garden Information Center of the University of Maryland Extension has succeeded in propagating bitter leaf that he got from us on 10/6/2024 when he visit our farm.

Bitter leaf, a tropical vegetable is considered by researchers as medicinal. Research from the University of Texas https://www.laits.utexas.edu/africa/ads/1261.html concludes that “Bitter leaf extract may prevent, delay breast cancer, diabetes”.

We are excited that university extension is beginning to take bitter leaf seriously both as a vegetable and as a medicine, a trend being encouraged by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Our hope is that the University of Maryland will assist us in doing the necessary research in propagating it and sharing the results with the community.

Asawana Farms is open to sharing our knowledge and resources with those that are interested, particularly, students who are interested in learning how to grow some of these organic vegetables, and in the process earn community service hours.

Thank you Jon.

11/09/2024

Organic Cayenne pepper powder grown and produced at the Watkins Park Incubator by Ginnette of 𝗦𝗢𝗙𝗚𝗜 farms. Absolutely fantastic.

11/05/2024

Now, you know where to get your veggies. Do not procrastinate. Call now!!!

11/05/2024

11/3/2024 Our Howard University volunteer students came out again and learnt how to harvest scotch bonnets, the last of the season.

With frost around the corner, they helped harvest the green ones, some of which will be dehydrated.
Thank you all for your help!! You and your friends are welcome to come back anytime!!