The Capital Market of 20743 and Prince George’s Soil Conservation District will co-host Prince George’s County’s first soilSHOP event on October 29, 12-3pm at Creative Suitland
SUITLAND, MD (October 23, 2023) – Along with sponsoring partners, CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District (PGSCD) and The Capital Market (TCM) invite urban farmers, gardeners, and outdoor play enthusiasts to bring a soil sample for a FREE lead screening. soilSHOP stands for Soil Screening, Health,Outreach, and Partnership. It’s a health education event that offers free soil screenings for lead and teaches consumers ways to avoid lead and other heavy metals while farming, gardening, or playing in yards in urban environments.
The soilSHOP is being held in recognition of Children’s Health Month, which serves a reminder that children are vulnerable to harmful substances in the environment. Protecting children’s health from environmental hazards is one of the most important responsibilities of ATSDR and partnering organizations. Steve Darcey, PGSCD Executive Director, shared, “the potential to raise our own food in the suburban and urban environment depends on healthy uncontaminated soils. Soil tests for fertility and for heavy metal contamination are critical first steps in the process.”
In addition to the soilSHOP event, TCM will host its weekly farmers market and annual Trunk-or-Treat event, for children of all ages. The TCM is a community-based farmers’ market providing healthy, affordable food options to Capitol Heights residents while supporting the growth of local-businesses and farms owned and operated by people of color. According to TCM’s Market Organizer, Ashley Drakeford, “a healthy environment is a critical component of building equitable communities where people feel excited to live, play, eat, and shop. And healthy soil is a part of that, especially in communities that lack grocery stores. Healthy soil means neighbors have an opportunity to begin owning their food system.”
The soilSHOP event will take place rain or shine and is open to residents of Prince George’s County and Washington D.C. Samples will be screened on a first come first served basis. There will be community health workers from available ATSDR, EPA, and the Prince George’s County Health Department available to answer questions about lead safety, how to reduce exposure, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general. Other exhibitors include USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Prince George’s County Department of the Environment, Prince George’s County Master Gardeners (UMD Extension), Prince George’s County Office of Food Security, Prince George’s County Food Equity Council, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and The Windsor Group on behalf of USDA’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program.
For more information on how to collect a soil sample, and to register, follow this link: soilSHOP at The Capital Market – Prince George’s Soil Conservation District (pgscd.org)