This month’s topic is: Implementing Conservation Practices + Improving Soil Health with Tasha Dickerson + Dr. Michaele Samuel (two Urban Farm Tours)!

Register Here: Implementing Conservation Practices + Improving Soil Health on Urban Farms Tickets, Tuesday, June 16  •  4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Eventbrite

Learn how two urban farmers use conservation Best Management Practices to improve soil health, biodiversity, and water quality! Join us (in-person only) for TWO tours and a discussion focusing on conservation Best Management Practices that improve soil health, biodiversity, and water quality on two urban farms.

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District and Bloomin’ PGC Partners invite you to participate in our upcoming Urban Farmers & Growers Open Mic Night! This event is a platform for the urban farm community to collaborate and share useful information. While the focus is on urban ag conservation, any topic is open for discussion. All farmers (not just PGC urban farms) and growers are welcome to join us!

🗣️Networking and refreshments begin at 4:30pm

🚗Program to start promptly at 5pm

Meet at Tranquil Islands Urban Farm at 8200 Student Drive, Clinton, MD. Free street parking is available. Be sure to bring a sun hat, water bottle, and bug spray, and wear comfortable shoes. You may want to bring a camp chair for the networking and discussion portions of the tour.If the event is sold out, please email us at karlynch@pgcmd.gov or 301.574.5162 x3 so that we may add your name to the waiting list.

First Stop + Networking (4:30 – 5:40 pm):

Dr. Samuel will share how Tranquil Islands Urban Farm integrates conservation practices into its organic operations to nurture both the land and personal well-being. A key part of her production system is crop layering, which maximizes space, enhances soil health, and supports natural pest balance. She will also discuss no-till soil management, pollinator habitats through the Tranquil Islands Apiary, and the cultivation of heritage crops, medicinal and culinary herbs, and edible flowers. Her presentation will highlight how these practices foster biodiversity, mindfulness, and a deeper connection between ecological health and human wellness.

About Tasha Dickerson and Dickerson Family Farm

Dickerson Family Farm is a family-centered urban farm dedicated to growing fresh, high-quality vegetables and herbs using conservation-based and sustainable growing practices. The farm supports a lifestyle rooted in sharing homegrown food through meals enjoyed with family and friends, with fresh dishes prepared from the harvest and preserved to extend seasonal abundance throughout the year. The farm is a true family effort, with family members actively supporting daily operations and seasonal work. Recently, the farm expanded into small-scale beekeeping, enhancing pollination across the farm while producing honey and strengthening the farm’s commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship.

Second Stop + Discussion (5:45 – 6:25 pm):

During the Open Mic Night, Dickerson Family Farm will share how conservation-based practices guide daily operations on a working urban farm. Attendees will learn how the farm supports soil health, pollinators, and sustainable food production while growing vegetables, herbs, and honey. Guests will also be invited to attend a farm tour to see these practices in action and learn how they can be applied in home gardens and community spaces.

About Dr. Michaele Samuel and Tranquil Islands Farm

Dr. Michaele C. Samuel is the founder of Tranquil Islands Urban Farm, an organic farm in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The farm cultivates heritage crops, medicinal and culinary herbs, edible and cut flowers, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Rooted in conservation, Tranquil Islands features thriving pollinator habitats, the Tranquil Islands Apiary, and designated no-till raised beds that support soil conservation and regeneration. Dr. Samuel layers her crops to maximize space and support natural pest balance and biodiversity, reflecting her belief that mindful farming nurtures both the land and overall wellness. Growing up in Grenada, she has been cultivating crops for as long as she can remember, inspired by her mother, who was also a farmer.

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 Prince George’s County Department of the Environment, the Office of Food Security, and The Capital Market to support the growing urban agriculture movement in Prince George’s County.