The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District, along with the Bloomin’ PGC Partners, our Co-host, Linda Jones of Elements of Nature, and other local urban farming advocates, invite you to participate in our Monthly Urban Farmers & Growers Open Mic Night! Held on Zoom, this event is a platform for the urban farm community to collaborate and share useful information. 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 are welcome to join us!

Note: Must have at least 10 farmers registered by noon the day of the Open Mic Night or it’s subject to cancellation.

*** THIS MONTH ***

Carol Allen, an Agent Associate in Food Safety at the Department of Plant Science at University of Maryland, will provide us with an overview of fresh produce safety considerations. Carol works with her UMD colleagues to provide farmers with training in basic Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and advanced GAP to assist growers in understanding food safety risks on their farm and developing/implementing a food safety plan to minimize those risks. The training can also assist growers in obtaining GAP certification frequently required by buyers.

In addition to this evening’s topic, farmers are invited to share their enterprises, and discuss challenges and opportunities they face in growing for-profit and for donations in Prince George’s County. Join our monthly meet-ups to ask and answer questions, share your signature growing tips, discuss the latest news in the urban Ag industry, or even blow off some steam. (We know that pesky groundhog is driving you nuts!).

Additionally, this is a great time for you to share recommended tips, resources, and upcoming events.

For more information on the Bloomin’ PGC Urban Farm Initiative, click here.

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, and the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment to support the growing urban agriculture movement in Prince George’s County.