10/4/2025 – On behalf of everyone at Asawana Farms and the Urban Farm Incubator (UFI), we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who joined us for the 1st Annual Maryland Farm Tours. It was a joyful, inspiring day filled with connection, learning, storytelling, and — of course — vegetables! Your presence made the event a true celebration of urban agriculture, global food traditions, and community-powered sustainability.
A Vision Rooted in Soil and Solidarity
The event was hosted by Jon Berger, our incredible UFI Manager, who welcomed visitors and shared the inspiring origin story of the Urban Farm Incubator. For those unfamiliar with our space, UFI is a thriving urban organic farm located in Maryland. It’s more than just farmland — it’s a living, breathing example of what happens when we prioritize sustainable agriculture, cultural heritage, and community access.
UFI is built on the principle that healthy food should be grown in a way that is kind to the Earth and accessible to everyone. That’s why we use no chemical fertilizers and instead make our own nutrient-rich compost on site. Every tomato, pepper, and leafy green grown here is a testament to what can be achieved through regenerative practices and shared stewardship of the land.
A Global Community of Farmers, Right Here in Maryland
One of the most beautiful parts of the Urban Farm Incubator is its diversity of farmers. UFI is currently home to 11 independent farmers from around the world, each bringing their unique agricultural knowledge, crops, and techniques to this shared space. From Africa to the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, these farmers grow produce that reflects both their heritage and the needs of the local community.
At Asawana Farms, we’re proud to be one of those farmers. Our mission is to preserve and promote African indigenous crops, knowledge and agricultural traditions. We grow a variety of culturally significant, nutrient-rich vegetables, including:
- Bitter Leaf
- Bitter Melon
- Ugu (Fluted Pumpkin)
- Water Leaf
- Scent Leaf
- Scotch Bonnet Peppers
These crops are not just food — they are medicine, memory, and heritage passed from generation to generation.
Farming as Medicine: Our Partnership with UMD Medical Center
Our work at Asawana Farms extends beyond growing food. We are honored to partner with the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center through their Food in Medicine initiative. This program explores how food can be a foundational element of healthcare, especially for chronic disease prevention and management.
As part of this collaboration, we provide education and technical support to help both doctors and patients learn how to grow and use medicinal plants like Bitter Leaf, Moringa, and other traditional crops. The goal is to create a sustainable model where healthcare institutions are not just prescribing food as medicine — they’re growing it too.
In a world where food insecurity and preventable disease often go hand in hand, we believe that empowering communities to grow their own healing food is one of the most powerful acts of resistance and resilience.
Thank You, Community — You Make This Possible
This farm tour was a chance to open our gates, share our story, and invite the community to walk through the rows of produce that tell a bigger story — of migration, innovation, healing, and hope. Whether you were a first-time visitor or a longtime supporter, your presence reminded us that urban farming is not just about the food — it’s about the people.
Thank you for showing up. Thank you for asking questions, getting your hands in the soil, supporting local growers, and engaging in conversations about what a just, sustainable food system can look like.
We hope this is just the beginning. Our fields are always growing, and so is our community.
Stay connected. Stay rooted. And come back soon.
With deep gratitude,
The Asawana Farms Team
Urban Farm Incubator | Maryland