freetown farm:
Where local action addresses global concerns
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In 2019, the Community Ecology Institute purchased a 6.4-acre organic farm in our hometown of Columbia, Maryland. We have protected this land from housing development and are restoring the farm using regenerative agriculture. We have created a vibrant place of common ground where diverse people come together to learn through hands-on experiences about how to lead happier, healthier, more connected and sustainable lives. At Freetown Farm, we care for the earth and for one another with a sense of hope and purpose for the future. |
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Our land was part of the Underground Railroad and is now within Columbia, Maryland—a place explicitly founded by James Rouse to be “a garden for growing people where anyone—whatever their race, wealth or religious beliefs—could reach their full potential.”
Freetown Farm is currently collecting donations of #2 (HDPE) and #5 (PP) plastics for Upcycled. For more plastic details click here. The Upcycled collection bin is in our Maker Space next to the Gear Closet and across from the tool trailer.
Stewarding the Green Farmacy Garden!
The Community Ecology Institute is honored to be the new owner and steward of the Green Farmacy Garden (GFG), a unique teaching garden based on the work of world-renowned ethnobotanist Dr. James A. Duke (1929–2017), who curated more than 300 plant species traditionally used and/or researched for their medicinal properties. The four terraced garden beds are organized by the medicinal properties of the plants each contains, as described in Jim Duke’s bestselling book, The Green Pharmacy (Rodale, 1997). We are excited to steward the property on behalf of the community!
Click here to learn more!
Click here to learn more!
