Every once in a while, something happens that reminds us exactly why we do what we do.
Friday, September 26, 2025 night was one of those moments.
At Asawana Farms’ Urban Farm Incubator in Upper Marlboro, we transformed our working fields into an open-air comedy venue — a space where laughter met the land, and where community blossomed under the stars. It was an evening filled with joy, connection, and shared purpose — the essence of what agrotourism at Asawana Farms is all about.
The Farm as a Gathering Place
We often say that a farm is more than a place to grow food — it’s a place to grow togetherness. Through our Urban Farm Incubator, we’ve created a living classroom and cultural gathering space where new farmers, neighbors, and visitors come to learn, share, and experience the beauty of growing healthy food.
But on September 26, we took that mission a step further. Partnering with Green Acre Comedy, we invited the community to join us for a night of humor, storytelling, and connection — right here in the fields where we plant, harvest, and dream.
Under strings of lights and a clear autumn sky, people from all walks of life brought their lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and open hearts. The laughter that followed was the best harvest of all.
Laughter in the Fields
The evening’s lineup was nothing short of spectacular.
- David Balagizi
- Stacey Axler
- Derrick Carter
- Humon Heidarian
Each performer brought their own style, humor, and energy — filling the night with joy. Their jokes echoed across the fields, mixing with the sound of rustling leaves and the hum of crickets. It wasn’t your typical comedy club — it was better. The land itself seemed to laugh with us.
The performers reminded us that humor is healing — that in uncertain times, laughter nourishes the soul just as much as food nourishes the body.
A Tour Before the Show
Before the show began, guests joined a guided tour of the farm, where we shared the story of how the Urban Farm Incubator came to be — a hub where aspiring farmers learn sustainable practices, grow culturally relevant crops, and gain the tools to build food independence.
Visitors walked among rows of Bitter Leaf, Ugu, Waterleaf, and Scent leaves, hearing about our commitment to chemical-free, regenerative agriculture and our belief that local farms can be both productive and joyful spaces.
For many, it was their first time on a working farm. For us, it was a chance to connect — to show that farms are living communities, full of stories, traditions, and possibilities.
Building Community Through Agrotourism
Events like Comedy on the Farm are at the heart of what we call community-based agrotourism — where people come not just to see the farm, but to experience it. When laughter fills the fields, when people walk the land, share food, and connect with one another, they begin to understand that farming is not just an occupation — it’s a culture.
Agrotourism gives us the opportunity to open our gates and welcome the public to experience farming in a new light — as a source of education, healing, entertainment, and togetherness. It turns the farm into a space for art, dialogue, and creativity, showing that agriculture is as much about the human spirit as it is about the soil.
Gratitude and Growth
We’re deeply grateful to Green Acre Comedy for curating an unforgettable lineup, to the Rodale Institute and our farm team for their continued partnership, and to everyone who came out with an open heart and a good sense of humor. Your presence and energy made the night truly special.
Events like this remind us that community is the most important crop we grow. Every shared laugh, every handshake, and every conversation under the stars strengthens the bonds that tie us together.
As we look ahead, Asawana Farms will continue to host agrotourism events that blend learning, culture, and celebration — from food and health workshops to music nights and cultural festivals. We want everyone to see that the farm is not only a source of food, but a source of hope, creativity, and joy.
So until the next season — keep laughing, stay rooted, and remember: the best harvests happen when we grow together.