Asawana Farms

06/05/2026

@ Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks Learns About Asawana Farms’ 5-Gallon Grow Bag Program

5/21/2026- It was an honor to welcome Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks to the Asawana Farms stand during the UM Capital Region Health Food is Medicine Open House.

Secretary Atticks came by to learn more about our 5-gallon moringa and bitter leaf grow bag program, through which Asawana Farms is encouraging families across Maryland to grow nutrient-rich, culturally relevant vegetables at home — even on porches, patios, balconies, and small spaces.

One of the highlights of his visit was tasting fresh bitter leaf and learning about its cultural and medicinal value in many African communities. Bitter leaf is traditionally valued for supporting wellness and is often discussed for its potential role in blood sugar support. Moringa is also widely valued as a nutrient-dense plant rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant-based protein.

We were encouraged by Secretary Atticks’ interest in growing bitter leaf and moringa as an example to Marylanders that everyone can grow healthy food. Asawana Farms promised to support that wish by providing him with moringa and bitter leaf seedlings in grow bags when our seedlings are ready for sale to the general public.

This year’s weather has been very unpredictable, and like many farmers, we are starting later than expected. But we remain hopeful that the weather will improve and that this growing season will still be a strong one.

At Asawana Farms, we will continue doing our best to grow fresh, nutrient-rich, and culturally relevant foods while teaching our community how to grow food for health.

Take control of your health. Grow your own Food as Medicine.

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06/05/2026

5/21/2026

06/05/2026

An Honor to Share Asawana Farms’ Food as Medicine Partnership with UM Capital Region Health

5/21/2026 It was truly an honor for Asawana Farms to be invited to the UM Capital Region Health Food is Medicine Open House. This invitation was a meaningful recognition of the partnership we are building with the hospital around food, health, culture, and community wellness.

Through this partnership, medical doctors and patients from the hospital have visited Asawana Farms to volunteer and learn how to grow some of the medicinal and culturally relevant vegetables we grow, including moringa, bitter leaf, kale, collards, and Swiss chard. Each doctor and patient went home with a grow bag to plant and care for, making Food as Medicine practical and personal.

We also provided moringa, bitter leaf, kale, collards, and Swiss chard for the hospital to grow behind one of its buildings. During the season, hospital staff cared for and harvested these vegetables, showing that Food as Medicine can happen at the hospital, on the farm, and at home on porches, patios, and balconies.

The Open House brought together elected officials from the county, state, and federal levels, as well as partners such as Capital Area Food Bank and Prince George's Community College. PGCC provided space for bitter leaf smoothies and callaloo dip, made with produce from Asawana Farms, for the community to taste and enjoy.

At Asawana Farms, we are doing our best to provide fresh, nutrient-rich, and culturally relevant foods to the community while teaching people how to grow food for themselves.

Take control of your health. Grow your own Food as Medicine.

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06/04/2026

Mark Your Calendar

06/04/2026

What a shame!!

Rural Maryland Council Executive Director Charlotte Davis says the federal agricultural research facility in Beltsville is "such an important part of the rural economy” -- which is why she and others are concerned about its threatened closure by the administration.

06/03/2026

Asawana Farms Education Series: Food as Medicine in Action

This video reflects Asawana Farms’ vision of Food as Medicine in action through our partnership with the University of Maryland Capital Region Health. It shows how growing culturally meaningful, nutrient-dense plants like moringa and bitter leaf can help bring health, education, and community wellness closer to home. Our goal is not only to provide food, but to help people learn how to grow and use these powerful plants for themselves in everyday life. We believe this is how Food as Medicine can become practical, sustainable, and lasting.

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06/01/2026

06/01/2026

What a Beautiful Launch Day for the Urban Farm Incubator Farmers Market!

May 30, 2026 — Today was a wonderful day at the Urban Farm Incubator as we officially launched our new farmers market. We want to sincerely thank everyone in the community who came out to support the first day of the market.

The Urban Farm Incubator is home to 10 hardworking farmers who make up the UFI Collective. Together, we grow fresh, organic vegetables from all across the world, including bitter leaf, moringa, kale, collard greens, tomatoes, and many other culturally important and nutritious crops.

This market is more than a place to buy vegetables. It is a celebration of local food, global cultures, community health, small farmers, and the incredible work being done right here in Prince George’s County.

The UFI Farmers Market will be open every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and we warmly invite everyone to come back with their friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers. Come see the wonders being grown at UFI, meet the farmers, ask questions, taste something new, and support local organic food production.

Our address is:
601 Watkins Park Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD

There is ample parking for everyone.

Thank you again to the community for showing up, supporting local farmers, and helping us start this market with so much joy and promise. We look forward to seeing you every Saturday from 10am-2pm!

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05/31/2026

Asawana Farms Education Series: Harvesting and Pruning Moringa

Pruning & Harvesting Moringa Comp.mp4
Learn when to harvest moringa, how to prune it the right way, and why proper pruning helps the plant grow back fuller, healthier, and more productive. If you want more leaves and a better-shaped plant, this video is for you.

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05/30/2026

Urban Farm Incubator Farmers Market Opens Tomorrow! Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Residents of Upper Marlboro, Bowie, and surrounding communities are warmly invited to the Urban Farm Incubator Farmers Market, beginning tomorrow, Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Address: 601 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Asawana Farms will be there with:

🌱 Moringa seedlings
🌱 Okra seedlings
🌱 Habanero pepper seedlings
🥬 Lettuce
🥬 Kale

Other local farmers will also have fresh, locally grown organic vegetables available.

Come out and support local farmers while enjoying fresh produce grown right here in our community. Bring your family, invite a friend, and help us celebrate the opening of the farmers market season!

We look forward to seeing you there!