Asawana Farms

12/30/2024

Beginner Farmer Training Program

Future Harvest offers a host of resources designed to help you navigate and contribute to a sustainable food economy in the Chesapeake.

12/26/2024

12/14/2024 Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Maryland student volunteers learning to clean up at the end of the season.

12/26/2024

12/14/2024 HOBY Maryland student volunteers at Asawana Farms

12/26/2024

The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Organization (HOBY Maryland) Students Volunteer at Asawana Farms

12/14/ 2024: The Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Maryland a non-profit that supports youth leadership and empowerment came out to volunteer and learn at Asawana Farms how we clean up at the end of the season. The group was made of 10 high school students and two chaperons. The students learned how to cut callaloo stems, scotch bonnet peppers; remove drip tapes and fold up w**d barriers at the end of the season. TThey also learned how we make our own organic composts that we use at the farm.

The highlight of their volunteer day was learning about our Food as Medicine efforts in educating the community about some of the vegetables (bitter leaf, Okra & bitter melon) that we grow that help in blood sugar regulation, diabetes and anemia

The students' volunteer day was part of a larger effort by HOBY Maryland to engage students in civic engagement and to promote social justice. The program's students are required to complete a certain number of service hours each year, and many of them choose t.o volunteer at local organizations that are working to make a difference in the community.

Asawana Farms is a perfect example of such an organization. The farm was founded to provide fresh, organic vegetables to the residents of Prince George's County. The farm also offers volunteering and educational programs to enable youth and adults in the community to learn by doing. .

The students' volunteer day at Asawana Farms was a great example of how (HOBY Maryland) is preparing students to be active and engaged citizens. The program is teaching students the importance of social justice and civic engagement, and it is providing them with opportunities to make a difference in their communities.

12/26/2024

12/21/24 Nyla Belton, a student at Elon University in NC, despite the biting cold came to volunteer and learn how we clean up at the end of the season. She along with two other volunteers helped taking out drip tapes and clips in preparation for the spring farming season. She also helped clean out scotch bonnet pepper and Callaloo stems.

12/16/2024

This video is worth a deep reflection and introspection. Where do you find yourself? How do we protect our health from the food predators? One answer is learn how to grow something organic so you can reduce some of the toxins that you buy in the name of food. Asawana Farms provides opportunities for you to learn how to grow organic vegetables.

12/16/2024

This video is worth a deep reflection and introspection. Where do you find yourself? How do we protect our health from the food predators? One answer is learn how to grow something organic so you can reduce some of the toxins that you buy in the name of food. Asawana Farms provides opportunities for you to learn how to grow organic vegetables.

12/11/2024

Interested in learning how to farm? Click on this link

Future Harvest offers a host of resources designed to help you navigate and contribute to a sustainable food economy in the Chesapeake.

12/10/2024

Black Farmers:
Anyone know of a farming app that is used by farmers to sell their produce? Would you like an app that can be used to market your produce?

12/09/2024

🌍 Join Us for an Essential Dialogue at COP 16 🌍

In the margins of COP 16 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are pleased to invite you to a hybrid side event:

“The Impact of Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD) on Women and Children in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

This event will delve into the pressing challenges posed by DLDD on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa. We will also spotlight the Maiduguri flooding as a case study, showcasing the relief and humanitarian aid generously provided by the ASR Africa Initiative.

Join us as we share insights, discuss innovative solutions, and chart pathways to resilience and sustainability for affected communities.

Let’s collaborate to amplify voices, inspire change, and drive impactful action for a sustainable future.

Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought Challenges on Women and Children in Africa
Tuesday, Dec 10 • 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uvs-bugf-pkd

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.