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During the summer of 2019, CEI purchased a 6.4 acre-organic farm in our hometown of Columbia, Maryland. We have protected this unique property from housing development and are preserving and restoring the farm--creating a place where people can learn through hands-on experiences about how to lead happier, healthier, more connected and sustainable lives. 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.”
Please help us to continue enhancing this beautiful and unique place of diverse common ground.
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Plastic collections at Freetown Farm will be suspended starting March 31st, for the foreseeable future.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Plastic drops-offs are welcome anytime the farm gate is open: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 4pm |
The lay of the land
Freetown Farm is designed to demonstrate numerous land-based sustainability practices.
When you enter the farm, you are flanked on the left by our Climate Victory Garden and on our right by a biorentention pond and wildflower meadow we created to address community stormwater issues. Just past our farm stand is our northern greenhouse and straight ahead is the entrance to our Maker Space. To the left is the NAACP Garden, the Grow It, Eat It Garden and then our Market Garden and the HopeWorks Garden (learn more about these garden partners and the goodness we grow together here). Midway down the property is our Community Engagement Center. The southern half of the farm is comprised of our large youth garden and food forest, a medicinal herb garden, and two acres of woods that are enlivened by a stage and two small streams. We have a flock of hens, two rescued box turtles and serve as an out yard for two local honeybee keepers.
*The farm map was created by Hawke Reyes.
When you enter the farm, you are flanked on the left by our Climate Victory Garden and on our right by a biorentention pond and wildflower meadow we created to address community stormwater issues. Just past our farm stand is our northern greenhouse and straight ahead is the entrance to our Maker Space. To the left is the NAACP Garden, the Grow It, Eat It Garden and then our Market Garden and the HopeWorks Garden (learn more about these garden partners and the goodness we grow together here). Midway down the property is our Community Engagement Center. The southern half of the farm is comprised of our large youth garden and food forest, a medicinal herb garden, and two acres of woods that are enlivened by a stage and two small streams. We have a flock of hens, two rescued box turtles and serve as an out yard for two local honeybee keepers.
*The farm map was created by Hawke Reyes.
VISITING THE FARM
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Freetown Farm is private property and accessible during open Farm Stand Saturdays and by event, program, or appointment only. Check out our upcoming events!
The following are our basic fundamental farm rules:
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Inspirations from the Farm
We are a participant in a lovely project called Writing the Land, which is a year-long, recurring partnership between the environmental and creative communities meant to promote and support the protection of lands. The theme this year has been food ways and social justice. The links below are of poems written about Freetown Farm as a part of this project.
