Register Here

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District, along with the Bloomin’ PGC Partners and our Co-host, Linda Jones of Elements of Nature, invite you to participate in our Urban Farmers & Growers Open Mic Nights! These events are a platform for the urban farm community to collaborate and share relevant information. While the topics are aligned with soil health and conservation, any urban farming-related topics—land leases, equipment and supplies, staffing and volunteering, resource-sharing, grants, and mental health— are open for discussion. While the focus is on urban farmers in Prince George’s County, all farmers and growers, regardless of scale or jurisdiction, are welcome to join us!

This month’s Open Mic Night for urban farmers and growers will feature Conservation Crop Rotation with Che Axum of the University of the District of Columbia, and introduction to Monica Newman, SMADC’s new Urban Ag Consultant, and an update on USDA NRCS financial assistance programs.

Agenda:

4:45-5:00pm: Networking & Refreshments

5:00-5:15pm: Welcome & Introductions

5:15-6:15pm: Conservation Crop Rotation for Urban & Small Farms, Che Axum

6:15-6:25pm: NRCS Financial Assistance Programs

6:25-6:30pm: Monica Newman, So MD Ag Development Commission & Future Harvest

6:30-6:35pm: Announcements & Updates

Conservation Crop Rotation for Urban & Small Farms:

Could there be a less complicated approach to crop rotations rather than the typical plant family approach? There might be a less complicated approach to this rotational and, possibly, outdated systems process. This system might be more beneficial to the mid-Atlantic region relative to our beloved Chesapeake Bay. In this session, we will take a look at this practice from a nutrient management standpoint.

Please be prepared to do so and bring your most recent soil test. We will have a very interactive discussion about a novel way to view crop rotational systems implementation.

About Che Axum:

Mchezaji “Che” Axum is the Director of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education, where he leads a team of researchers at the Firebird Research Farm in Beltsville, Maryland, and oversees several community education programs including the DC Master Gardening Program, Urban Agriculture Soil-Less Certificate, Urban Agriculture Technician Certificate, Introduction to Agroecology and Sustainable Food Production, Gardening and Nutrition Program and the 4-H Soccer Program. He worked for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Plant Sciences Institute, for 20 years, taught middle school science, and has worked as a successful farmer and sustainable farming consultant. He is a graduate of the College of Agronomy, now named to the College of Natural Resource Management at the University of Maryland. Mr. Axum is also a certified nutrient management consultant for the state of Maryland. He is a member of the American Agronomy Society/ ASA, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America.

This is an in-person event with a virtual option. At least 15 participants must register by NOON the day before the Open Mic Night or it’s subject to cancellation. In addition, 12 participants must register for in-person to ensure this event will take place at the District office. Otherwise, the event will be virtual only or canceled.

For more information on the Bloomin’ PGC Urban Farm Initiative: https://www.pgscd.org/urban-agricultural-conservation/urban-farms/bloomin-pgc/

Bloomin’ PGC is an initiative launched by the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council in partnership with the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District, the University of Maryland Extension in Prince George’s County, ECO City Farms, Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, The Capital Market, the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment, and the Office of Food Security to support the growing urban agriculture movement in Prince George’s County.